Airline Crackdown: New Rules Aim to Protect Passenger Rights
A new draft charter seeks to ensure airlines treat passengers fairly and provide compensation for delays and cancellations
Airlines, Passenger Rights, Australia, Catherine King, Flight Delays
Canberra: So, there’s some big news for travelers in Australia. Airlines are now being told they have to treat passengers with dignity and respect. This comes from a new draft charter of customer rights that could make them pay up for delays.
The Albanese government rolled this out as part of their Aviation White Paper back in August. They’ve just released a draft for public feedback, and it’s all about making sure you get what you pay for when you fly.
According to the draft, if your flight gets canceled or your bags go missing, you should have the right to quick and fair solutions. Plus, they want to protect your personal info and make sure you can exercise your rights without any backlash.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King emphasized that this charter is about ensuring airline customers really do get what they pay for. She mentioned that if your flight is delayed for three hours or more due to the airline’s fault, you should be able to get rebooked without any extra charges.
And if you can’t take another flight because of timing, they should give you a refund. If you find yourself stuck away from home, they’re supposed to cover your accommodation and meals too, all at no cost to you.
Public feedback on this draft is open until 5 PM on February 28, 2025, so if you’ve got thoughts, now’s the time to share!