Airline customers trying to get a refund on their flights should get more support, says Sheffield MP

Olivia Blake, Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, says many constituents have written to her who are still struggling to receive refunds from airlines and holiday providers for flights that were cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Blake said she is concerned that airlines are using unfair practices to avoid paying refunds and says she has personally been contacted by constituents facing difficulties with Ryanair, EasyJet, LastMinute.com, British Airways, TUI, and Virgin.

The Civil Aviation Authority states that if a flight is cancelled, an airline must offer consumers the choice between a refund or an alternative flight.

However, Ms Blake says many constituents have been offered vouchers for future travel instead and both she and constituents were finding it difficult to get a response from airlines.

She said: “Many providers are cutting almost all forms of communication with customers and I have found it difficult to contact them myself when grievances have been raised with me.

"Much more action is needed on this issue in order to assure my constituents, who have been left waiting for far too long on this, especially at a time when many are facing new financial uncertainty and difficulty.

"It comes as the aviation industry is struggling to stay afloat.

“EasyJet recently received a £600 million bailout from the UK Treasury. This is despite many of its customers still not having heard from the airline months down the line.

"It's disappointing that airlines are receiving such large bailout packages from the government when many of my constituents still haven’t heard a word from those same companies - it’s one rule for business and another for the general public.

"Refunding members of the public should be a prerequisite for any airline to receive support from the government at this time.”

Ms Blake has now written to Alok Sharma, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, calling for action.

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