Air Berlin files for bankruptcy

[Mattg]

I've got to say, I love the EU Commissions thinking... in an ordinary world I can see how a takeover could lead to less competition, but the alternative is this airline now stops flying, and it's 100% confirmed there's less competition. Add to that the thousands of job losses.

The EU is... crazy?

I totally get your point. But you never know, a brand new airline may see an opening in the market and come along, resulting in more competition in the long-term. LH and all of its brands does have a very large share of the European market at the moment, which could make it harder for newcomers.

With LH taking over Niki, 100% of Austria's major airlines would be owned by Lufthansa anyway.

 

[samh004]

I totally get your point. But you never know, a brand new airline may see an opening in the market and come along, resulting in more competition in the long-term. LH and all of its brands does have a very large share of the European market at the moment, which could make it harder for newcomers.

With LH taking over Niki, 100% of Austria's major airlines would be owned by Lufthansa anyway.

Instead of blocking it, they could have at least tried to attach some conditions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've got to say, I love the EU Commissions thinking... in an ordinary world I can see how a takeover could lead to less competition, but the alternative is this airline now stops flying, and it's 100% confirmed there's less competition. Add to that the thousands of job losses.

The EU is... crazy?

We' see what 'partnerships' do here... the EK/QF tie-up. Now EK has pulled out of the trans-tasman market. QF pulled out of SIN/BKK/HKG to fly to Europe. Whole bunches of choice and competition for the consumer removed. The QF/AA partnership goes south and QF spits the dummy and removes all sorts of benefits such as SCs from AA flights.

Companies don't necessarily have the best interests of consumers in mind. At least governments sort of try. Even if they don't always get it right.

 

[codash1099]

Niki has now gone too.

Austrian carrier Niki ceases operations - Business Traveller – The leading magazine for frequent flyers

 

[codash1099]

Niki has now gone too.

Austrian carrier Niki ceases operations - Business Traveller – The leading magazine for frequent flyers

But with one leap......

IAG to acquire Niki for €20 million

 

[ADLhighflyer]

I got a letter from the courts dealing with AB's bankruptcy regarding the possibility of getting my money back through a long drawn out process. Anyone else received something similar recently?

 

[serfty]

I got a letter from the courts dealing with AB's bankruptcy regarding the possibility of getting my money back through a long drawn out process. Anyone else received something similar recently?

Did you pay with a CC?

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Did you pay with a CC?

Yep, via the AB website.

 

[serfty]

And your CC provider won't refund?

 

[ADLhighflyer]

And your CC provider won't refund?

I did look into that with the CC Insurance, but the excess was more than the fare so wasn't worth persuing. The bank redirected me over to the insurance company.

 

[serfty]

What CC company was this?

It's not insurance ... generally with insolvency in such circumstances (you booked directly with AB) the CC provider refunds the money.

 

[ADLhighflyer]

What CC company was this?

It's not insurance ... generally with insolvency in such circumstances (you booked directly with AB) the CC provider refunds the money.

Serfty - have sent PM

 

[serfty]

Serfty - have sent PM

I have no personal experience with how this works. However I have seen such cited consistently for many years.

There should be others here better able to advise you further.

 

[serfty]

I did a little research, here's a basic reference:

When a business goes bust

Payments made on credit

Where you have paid for a product or service by way of a credit arrangement (credit card or loan) and the product or service does not arrive because the company has gone into external administration, you may be able to request a chargeback on the transaction from your financial institution or bank that issued the credit card. You should make this request as soon as possible as there may be time limits on chargeback claims.

 

[serfty]

Also here (see bits re credit):

Can you demand a refund if your travel agent goes broke?

 

[Mattg]

Airberlin is now auctioning off various assets including aircraft seats, drinks trolleys, blankets, amenity kits, crockery and chocolate hearts.

Air Berlin - DECHOW AUKTIONEN

 

[ADLhighflyer]

I did a little research, here's a basic reference:

When a business goes bust

Also here (see bits re credit):

Can you demand a refund if your travel agent goes broke?

Thanks serfty. Reading these, it seems as I'm out of luck as fare was purchased in July and as the airline didn't go bust until late October I'm now well outside the time period allowed. With the travel insurance excess more than the fare, I guess I'm going to have to hope that I can get some money back from the bankruptcy proceedings. Appreciate your help finding the info.

Whatever happens, its an interesting thing to know for next time.

 

[kelvedon]

But with one leap......

IAG to acquire Niki for €20 million

Its now being reported that IAG have lost out on their proposed acquisition of Nikki, with its founder, ex racing driver Nikki Lauda taking over the company again.

BA owner IAG loses out on Niki acquisition to founder Niki Lauda

 

[Mattg]

Well I received an email this morning that Topbonus (former frequent flyer program of Airberlin) has now also gone into insolvency. The email included a lovely message that the miles in my account have now been reduced to zero. Oh well, they've been worthless anyway since AB went under.

 

[leadman]

I also saw all the OW carriers have wiped them out from all their PR and literature, such as the inflight mags. The OW flags seem to be getting a bit thin of late.