Qantas’s fame has “been hit hard on several fronts”, however the nationwide provider has vowed to restore it.
In an announcement on Monday, Qantas pledged to regain Australia’s belief after a nightmare week suffering from the buyer watchdog’s allegations that the airline had bought tickets for “ghost flights”, a grilling by senators over opponents’ flights, backlash over bonuses, and a blowout in Covid refunds.
The Australian Consumer and Consumption Commission launched motion within the Federal Court on Thursday, alleging the nationwide provider had “engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct” by promoting sale tickets for greater than 8000 already-cancelled flights between May and July final 12 months.
The ACCC is looking for to penalise the airline as much as $250m.
In an announcement on Monday, a Qantas spokesperson stated the airline was conscious that the ACCC allegations particularly had “caused significant concern among our customers”.
“The ACCC’s allegations come at a time when Qantas’ reputation has already been hit hard on several fronts,” the spokesperson stated.
“We want the community to know that we hear and understand their disappointment.
“We know it will take time to repair. And we are absolutely determined to do that.”
The spokesperson stated the time frame that the buyer watchdog’s claims relate to – mid-2022- was “one of well-publicised upheaval and uncertainty across the aviation industry”.
“Our longstanding practice is that when a flight is cancelled, customers are offered an alternative flight as close as possible to their original departure time, or a refund,” the spokesperson stated.
Earlier final week, a parliamentary listening to on Monday revealed Qantas owed $100 million extra in Covid flight refunds than was beforehand thought – forcing the airline to again down on its December 2023 expiry plans.
It was additionally revealed Qantas had voiced its concern to the federal government about Qatar Airways’ pitch to double its flights to Australia’s east coast – a transfer that was welcomed by trade however ultimately blocked by Labor.
Qantas’ dangerous week was topped off on Friday it was revealed chief government Alan Joyce was granted $10.8 million in shares for bonuses deferred throughout the pandemic – all of the whereas Qantas maintained it had no obligation to pay again the $2.7bn in authorities funds it obtained throughout Covid-19.
Mr Joyce is stepping down as CEO in November, however after arguably one of many worst weeks’ within the airways historical past, there are requires him to go away his put up earlier.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
