Jet tells travel agents it will validate ticket refund claims in 45 days

Jet Airways passengers may have to wait for up to 45 days for ticket refunds. Jet had stopped operations last week, disrupting travel plans of thousands of passengers.
 
The airline said a web interface has been created and agents have been asked to submit claims till May 20. “All refund claims will be validated by Jet Airways within 45 days as per International Air Transport Association (IATA) procedure. IATA will settle the claims after closure of Jet’s refund claim review period from the deposit held by the former. IATA will raise a demand from Jet should there be a shortfall in refund claim and the deposit held by IATA,” Jet said in a circular to agents.
 
A similar format has been devised for ticket sales made with  travel agency’s credit cards. “The refunds due to card members will be validated by Jet and cleared by card companies each Monday,”  the airline said.
 
Jet has around Rs 800 crore held up with credit card companies and IATA. The amount due from ticket sales was not being remitted to the airline, given the possibility of a default.
 
The issue of passenger inconvenience has reached courts. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it will hear next week the plea seeking direction to the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA to ensure refunds or provide alternative travel mode for passengers who have booked tickets with Jet Airways.
 
The plea, filed by activist Bejon Kumar Misra said the sudden suspension of air services of Jet Airways has resulted in a major crisis for the passengers who weren’t informed about it earlier. Last week, IATA suspended Jet Airways from its billing and settlement plan as well as cargo accounts settlement system around the world.
 
Agents use these mechanisms to make remittances to airlines on a weekly basis. Agents were deducting refund amount while making the remittances till it was suspended from the system. In fact, agents refund claims were regular till the first week of April when airline was operating flights but had expressed concern over delays.
 
“We fear agencies that delay may be asked by IATA to deal with refunds directly with the airline. In this case, the process to get a refund may be longer and risky,” Travel Agents Association of India said it a communication to its members last week.

• A web interface has been created and agents have been asked to submit claims till May 20
• The refunds due to card members will be validated by Jet and cleared by card companies each Monday
• A similar format has been devised for ticket sales made with  travel agency’s credit cards
• Jet has around Rs 800 crore held up with credit card companies and Int’l Air Transport Association

 

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