Now, refund problems for Kingfisher fliers

There appears to be little respite for Kingfisher passengers seeking refunds. The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the airline are formulating a policy to safeguard the interest of travel agents for refund.

“There were problems but we now have assurance from IATA that it will protect travel agents interests,” the President, Travel Agents Association of India, Mr Iqbal Mulla, told Business Line.

Sources, however, say that refunds for sale of tickets made through IATA will only happen when Kingfisher is reinstated into the Billing and Settlement Plan. The suspension of the airline from IATA's Billing and Settlement Plan has madeit almost impossible for passengers to get a refund.

Passengers have been complaining of not getting a refund even after two weeks of surrendering their ticket. In fact, some travel agents are advising passengers to fly with the airline rather than seek a refund as that could be cumbersome.

To make matters worse, most domestic airlines have stopped accepting passengers holding Kingfisher Airlines tickets on their flights. Although accepting each other's passengers is a common practice, most airlines are shunning Kingfisher passengers fearing non-payment.

>ashphadnis@thehindu.co.in

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