CONSUMERS LOSING €800K A DAY ON AIRFARES

IRISH consumers are losing close to €800,000 a day in non-refundable airfare because flights are operating but the Government advice is still not to travel, say the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA).

Current advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team and tthe Government remains that all non-essential international travel to be avoided.

However, because airlines have started running flights again anyone who heeds that advice and does not get on the flight could lose their money.

ITAA CEO Pat Dawson said that the €800,000 figure is based on the number of airplanes going out, the average load of those planes and the average cost of a seat.

He added that upwards of 90% of that figure would be through Dublin Airport.

Currently, if passengers decide not to travel on the back of Government advice and the flight still goes ahead, they could lose the full cost of their seats.

In addition, any travel insurance they took out won’t cover it because they will be treated as a no-show.

Mr Dawson said that airlines should give some kind of gesture or some credit back to customers who decide not to risk travelling and are out of pocket as a result.