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ACCC acts to address consumer complaints over cancelled AirAsia X services

written by australianaviation.com.au | April 21, 2015

AirAsia X launches Melbourne-Bali on October 27. (AirAsia X)
Failure to launch. The October 2014 unveiling of AirAsia X’s Melbourne-Bali flights. (AirAsia X)

Australia’s competition watchdog has put AirAsia X under the spotlight for failing to adequately deal with passengers affected by two cancelled services and secured commitments from budget carrier to promptly process all outstanding claims.

Consumers affected by the end of AirAsia X’s Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur service in January, and its failure to launch new Melbourne-Bali flights on Boxing Day 2014 because it did not secure Civil Aviation Safety Authority approval in time, have slammed the carrier for its slow response and lack of customer service. In some cases, customers had to wait more than three months for refunds and claims for out-of-pocket expenses to be processed.

“These actions by AirAsia X led to a significant number of consumer complaints to the ACCC and other state and territory consumer affairs agencies, particularly in Victoria and South Australia,” the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said on Tuesday.

“Complaints identified significant delays in receiving refunds and concerns over the treatment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred.”

The ACCC said passengers left high and dry by the end of the direct Kuala Lumpur-Adelaide flight were “required to either cancel their flights and rebook on other airlines, or make their own way to Perth or Melbourne in order to travel to Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia X”.

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Meanwhile, those who had purchased tickets for travel from Melbourne to Bali found out via text message on Christmas Day that the inaugural flight would not proceed and were given the option of being re-routed via Kuala Lumpur, adding hours to the journey and causing some to lose hotel bookings.

The ACCC said it had worked closely with other Australian consumer law regulators such as Consumer Affairs Victoria and Consumer and Business Services South Australia to address the concerns that had been raised by those affected AirAsia X customers.

“Consumers are entitled to compensation for any reasonably foreseeable loss due to the failure of a business to deliver a contracted service, and these claims should be dealt with promptly,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

“It is very important that any business has in place systems and processes to properly handle and consider customer refunds and that they can adjust quickly when things go wrong and there is an increase in the number of claims.”

The ACCC said it would continue to monitor the situation on behalf of consumers.

AirAsia X had processed all outstanding requests for alternative flights, credits and refunds, and committed to process any future requests within 14 days, the ACCC said.

The airline had also committed to “expeditiously process valid claims for reasonable out of pocket expenses for affected passengers in a fair and reasonable manner”, the ACCC said, with customers also able to re-lodge previously made claims to AirAsia X for reassessment.

“A report on the handling of claims for out of pocket expenses will be provided to the ACCC,” the competition regulator said.

Consumer group Choice said in February it had written to the ACCC urging the regulator to fine AirAsia X for its “misleading conduct” in relation to the failure to launch the Melbourne-Bali service on Boxing Day.

Choice said it believed AirAsia X “misled customers” because the alternative flights offered were not suitable for the purpose that many consumers initially bought them for.

AirAsia X called on those affected passengers to “please endeavour to make all claims by June 30 2015”.

“We sincerely apologise for the cancellation or re-route of the Adelaide – Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne – Denpasar flights and the disruption this has caused our valued guests,” the airline said on its website.

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Comments (3)

  • Georgina Smith

    says:

    It is good to see the poor practices of this airline being brought to the attention of the general public. However, it is inaccurate of to claim that they have processed all outstanding requests for a refund ter 4 months I have yet to receive my refund and continue to be subjected to delaying tactics and downright lies from Air Asia. I would be delighted to report that I have received my refund so that I never have to be involved with this carrier again. Thanks to the ACCC and other bodies fro keeping the spotlight on this appalling carrier.

  • Glenn Pirie

    says:

    I booked a flight for April 6th 2020 due to pandemic the flight was cancelled .After applying for a refund and countless requests for updates on my refund I am still waiting .In August lasy year they asked for my bank details then a few months later still no refund .So I contacted them again and they told me they didnt get my bank details .So I provided my bank details again and a week later I asked for a update on my refund .I was notified by email today that my case was closed .Next month will be 2 years since my flight was cancelled surely that is long enough to process a refund .I havent given up yet but it is frustrating when you are just going in circles . Glenn

  • Oscar

    says:

    We are trying in vein to get a refund or credit to be validated. They now stopped allowing us into the AVA question answer slash help desk. Gutted to think we will lose thousands of dollars

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