TO GUARANTEE passengers stranded by airline bankruptcy a safe return, IATA has formalised the long-standing custom of airlines offering cheap fares.
Under the new agreement, airlines flying to and from the EU will offer special “rescue fares” or discounted tickets for the traveller’s return trip, subject to availability.
Rescue fares are of a “nominal amount”, according to an IATA press release, and will be up for purchase for two weeks after the airline goes bankrupt. They are specifically targeted at passengers who are not covered by insurance in such situations.
IATA also pointed out that states responsible for licensing the bankrupt airline have the duty to disseminate information about rescue fares to stranded passengers.
Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of IATA, said at a round-table meeting with journalists in Brussels this week: “This agreement on rescue fares shows that the airline industry is more determined than ever to ensure reliable and consistently excellent customer service. Airlines have formalised a unique cooperation agreement that puts passenger needs first.”
The idea of a permanent statutory fund to aid stranded passengers has been discussed but estimated operational costs are too high to make it a viable option.
Said Tyler: “A compulsory levy on airlines to deal with repatriation would not serve anybody’s interest. We commend the European Commission for resisting this and for encouraging airlines to adopt this coordinated and customer-focused approach.”
