Air ticket refunds for passengers sought

Sri Lanka’s civil aviation authorities are currently considering granting air ticket refunds to passengers affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic and whose bookings have had to be cancelled.

A number of passengers had to cancel their bookings on airlines due to a number of issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic since airports were closed and airlines had stopped flying to various destinations.

Local travel agents have sought assistance from the civil aviation authorities on refunds for their clients, travel agents said.

However, airlines are insisting that they could provide vouchers valid for one year to ensure the passengers could travel anytime within the course of a year on the same ticket fare.

But the industry points out clients are facing issues of their own as some have now lost jobs and are facing hard times and there is no certainty in travel plans since most conferences and other similar gatherings have been cancelled as of now worldwide. In addition the industry has requested for a relief package for a period of three months. (SD)