In the wake of the corona crisis, many flights and packages have been canceled. Anyone who has booked a trip must, according to the law, get back the full amount if the trip is canceled. And it should also go fast.

"As far as air travel is concerned, it is within seven days and in terms of package travel it is within fourteen days," says Maja Lindstrand, a lawyer at the Consumer Agency, to SVT Nyheter.

Ten times more registrations

In April and so far in May, the Consumer Agency received more than ten times as many applications for package tours as they received during the same period last year. Many of the notifications come from consumers who have had to wait significantly longer than the statutory period for compensation. Consequently, the Swedish Consumer Agency has now initiated a targeted supervision of four travel companies: SAS, Tui, Norwegian and Ving. Those companies stand out in the registration statistics.

- Almost everyone who called in talked about refunds, says Maja Lindstrand.

According to the Swedish Consumer Agency, companies are blamed for receiving very many requests for repayment right now, and that they simply do not have the money to pay back.

"Money should not come from consumers"

Can't you have a certain understanding that there is no money?

- We have had some understanding so far, but it is still so that the money should not come from consumers here. There are consumer protection rules and they are very clear, says Maja Lindstrand.

Some consumers have been offered compensation in the form of credit with the company. It is permissible as long as it is voluntary for the consumer. But if the company in question goes bankrupt, you risk not being able to utilize your credit.

- If there is no protection in the form of some kind of travel guarantee that covers it, you lose that money, says Maja Lindstrand.