Air Australia (From 17/2 suspended ops)

[rechoboam]

I don't think anyone expected them to, and of course the destinations affected are essentially JQ destinations anyway....

I just find it ironic that the public take it for granted that our "national carrier" will sort out the fallout from other airlines' financial disasters within 24 hours of being canned in the press for taking action to maintain profitability (whether they are the right actions or not, I have no idea). While Hawaii is a QF/JQ destination for us, it was QF that agreed to fly people home from their European hub at no cost after the Australian Govt evacuated them from Egypt.

 

[Simo]

Very sad for people booked to travel on Air Australia or mid way through there trip.

I wonder if all travel insurance company's are very similar to jaseblenner's.

 

[Mal]

Very sad for people booked to travel on Air Australia or mid way through there trip.

I wonder if all travel insurance company's are very similar to jaseblenner's.

My credit card insurance covers insolvency. I think my general insurance does too - but need to check later.

For me, things are fine. I've put an additional $400 towards a J DJ flight later today, and deciding which route to take - Insurance or chargeback.

 

[markis10]

Very sad for people booked to travel on Air Australia or mid way through there trip.

I wonder if all travel insurance company's are very similar to jaseblenner's.

The airline was specifically excluded by some insurance companies a few months back.

 

[jaseb]

Very sad for people booked to travel on Air Australia or mid way through there trip.

I wonder if all travel insurance company's are very similar to jaseblenner's.

Well I got lucky I suppose (and working for the financial institution that your credit card is with helps also) - filed a card dispute and was told the money will be in my account by the end of the day. Oh and it's credited back to October so no interest paid.

edit: Now where to book a sneaky flight to....

 

[tuapekastar]

My mother was due to fly with VC on Monday to HKT. She is also insured with TID and had same response as jaseblenner (I think we already knew insolvency was not covered - despite MA and Spanair going under recently it is still a rare occurrence in the aviation industry compared to other travel interruptions and issues that may trigger insurance claims - but she rang to check anyway and got a negative response). I thought covering insolvency was the exception rather than the rule but who knows, maybe not? If not, I suspect TID may lose future business (mine included) out of this.

We both have felt a little uneasy in recent times re VC's position but it was all paid for months ago. I think mum only went VC as her travelling companion would have struggled to afford to fly with anyone else (not that mum is in any way rolling in the folding stuff - it's a significant hit for her).

She (and others) in a way may have actually been better off being 'stranded' - at least you get to use the fare there and the accommodation. AJ said on the radio today that QF/JQ would be offering ~$500 fares back to stranded pax, including refunds to those who may have already bought alternate JQ fares back to Oz as a result (not that there would be many of those given the timings).

I'm a bit sh*tty with VC top management TBH (I'm sure they're not feeling too flash themselves) - whilst it is common to admire those who 'have a go' at trying to make something work, the admiration levels diminish fairly rapidly when the size of the ego of the person(s) involved outstrips their skill set.

Anyway, will have to explore any (obviously limited) options for reimbursement.

In all the fallout of AN going under I'm supposing out-of-pocket pax did not receive any recompense?

 

[oz_mark]

Anyway, will have to explore any (obviously limited) options for reimbursement.

In all the fallout of AN going under I'm supposing out-of-pocket pax did not receive any recompense?

How was it paid for? If on a C/C explore a chargeback through your bank.

 

[UP4014]

We both have felt a little uneasy in recent times re VC's position but it was all paid for months ago. I think mum only went VC as her travelling companion would have struggled to afford to fly with anyone else (not that mum is in any way rolling in the folding stuff - it's a significant hit for her).

She (and others) in a way may have actually been better off being 'stranded' - at least you get to use the fare there and the accommodation. AJ said on the radio today that QF/JQ would be offering ~$500 fares back to stranded pax, including refunds to those who may have already bought alternate JQ fares back to Oz as a result (not that there would be many of those given the timings).

When people struggle with saving for fares and then an airline spends the fares collected in advance on expenses now it isn't a good look for the management.

I sympathize, wrecked a trip away for these people.

Matt

 

[tuapekastar]

How was it paid for? If on a C/C explore a chargeback through your bank.

Thanks oz_mark, I checked a few minutes ago (after I posted, and seeing jaseblenner's outcome) and unfortunately it was paid in cash (grrr!). Her TA has indicated she may be able to get some or all of the accommodation costs back so there is a small silver lining I guess (and some lessons to be learned).

 

[markis10]

TID & Covermore confirmed in December they wont provide coverage.

Covermore effect 20/12 http://www.covermore.com.au/aucm/pdf/claims-advice/AUSCM_P003_CM_Updated_PDS_All_Dec11.pdf


Funnily enough TIDs what we dont cover page is offline!

 

[psi999]

Well I got lucky I suppose (and working for the financial institution that your credit card is with helps also) - filed a card dispute and was told the money will be in my account by the end of the day. Oh and it's credited back to October so no interest paid.

edit: Now where to book a sneaky flight to....

I'll be in the same boat.

I have 4 flights to claim this morning - painful but its not like i really didn't see it coming.

 

[n17]

Well, that was lucky I decided to wait for Mal's report!

As a note Amex refunded my fare booked with Hungarian Air (who went bust on the 7th Feb), within 10 days of the claim- very impressed.

 

[tuapekastar]

When people struggle with saving for fares and then an airline spends the fares collected in advance on expenses now it isn't a good look for the management.

I sympathize, wrecked a trip away for these people.

Matt

Indeed it must hit really hard for many! I guess from the airline side of things it's a bit like playing poker or roulette, it's a tougher/braver decision to pull the pin when things are just starting to look bad and cut your losses, rather than persisting in the vain hope that you can trade/gamble your way out of the poo, and instead getting way deeper in it.

At least Mum has another trip to look forward to - am shouting her (and me ) off to LAX and places nearby in April, courtesy the recent QF 2 for 1 sales - that may lighten her mood somewhat!

 

[Alanslegal]

Well I got lucky I suppose (and working for the financial institution that your credit card is with helps also) - filed a card dispute and was told the money will be in my account by the end of the day. Oh and it's credited back to October so no interest paid.

Well I recently filed a dispute with Citibank as MA (malev airlines) went bust and they've ceased any form of operation. The fares have been refunded so all is good.

 

[Mal]

Thanks oz_mark, I checked a few minutes ago (after I posted, and seeing jaseblenner's outcome) and unfortunately it was paid in cash (grrr!). Her TA has indicated she may be able to get some or all of the accommodation costs back so there is a small silver lining I guess (and some lessons to be learned).

I bet the ta paid via card...

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[psi999]

Must admit I found this statement on nonews amusing

10.17am The head of Queensland’s Tourism Industry Council Daniel Gschwind says the collapse of Air Australia won’t hurt tourism in his state.

Read more: Budget airline Air Australia placed in administration | News.com.au
​

No more cheap Hawaiian holidays targeted at Brisbanites.... probably not a bad thing for the local tourism industry.

 

[straitman]

Blind Freddy saw this one coming, it was a story foretold unfortunately! I feel sorry for those without access to that information of course that are stuck....

Reading this thread of relatively well informed people and, to use your terminology, there appears to be quite a few Blind Freddie's around who did not see it coming :!:

 

[psi999]

Also for anyone who paid for flights with a WWEDRCC - you must compelte the form 'Woolworths Credit Cards Transaction dispute' available online and fax to the number on the form.

The Indian lady on the telephone asked if it was regarding Air Australia so they seem to be all over it.

 

[under the radar]

So QF who do all this nasty cost-cutting (attempting to keep their organisation solvent) are expected to ride in as usual and save everyone as our "national carrier"...

and not a peep from virgin AUSTRALIA..(who could help out on some of the destinations)..not very AUSTRALIAN!!!!!

 

[el_rooto]

Air Australia goes under

Air Australia Goes Bust

Thousands of Australian travellers have been left without a flight in or out of the country as troubled budget airline Air Australia dived into administration today.​

Air Australia/strategic has gone into administration. Their fleet is grounded and staff have been layed off.