Australians won't receive compensation for flight delays or cancellations.

It seems that Australian travelers will not be receiving the same rights as their counterparts in Europe and North America when it comes to delayed or cancelled flights. Despite the release of a new passenger charter by the federal government, there are concerns that it falls short in addressing compensation for flight disruptions. The draft, which aims to give customers a better deal from airlines, has been criticized for not including provisions for compensation.

In comparison, customers in the European Union are entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600 for delayed or cancelled flights lasting more than three hours. Similarly, travelers in Canada can receive between $CAD125 and $CAD1000, depending on the size of the airline and length of delay. However, the new draft from the federal government does not mention compensation as a right for customers, which has raised concerns from consumer advocacy group Choice.

Rosie Thomas from Choice expressed her concerns, stating that the proposed charter does not fully acknowledge the rights to compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. She suggested that implementing a European-style compensation scheme could be a solution, but even without it, customers should have clear guidance on their compensation rights under consumer law. Independent MP Monique Ryan also criticized the draft, stating that it lets airlines "off the hook" by not including cash compensation as an incentive for better service.

Despite these criticisms, there are some positive aspects of the draft charter. Choice has welcomed the provisions that would require airlines to provide refunds for cancellations in a timely manner, within 14 days, and in the same format as the original payment. This would put an end to unfair policies that force customers to accept difficult-to-use flight credits, which became common during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The draft charter can be viewed in full and submissions are open until the end of February. It is important for travelers to stay updated on the latest news, sport, politics, and weather, which is why the 9NEWS app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. With this app, customers can receive notifications sent straight to their smartphones, ensuring they stay informed and prepared for any flight disruptions.

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