Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts has advised consumers affected by the suspension of Tiger Airways flights that automatic refunds for cancelled flights are being processed by the airline and consumers can contact Tiger Airways Australia for advice on 03 9999 2888.

Minister Roberts said the ACCC and all State and Territory regulators were working together to protect consumers affected by the Airline’s suspension by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

“Following intervention by regulators, the company this week stopped selling tickets to consumers until it has a clearer path to service resumption,” Minister Roberts said.

“Tiger Airways Australia has also assured regulators it is bringing more resources to the task of issuing refunds.

“The company has a backlog of refunds, primarily related to the suspension of flights and the ash cloud in June. Tiger Airways have allocated additional resources to processing refunds and I understand they are now completing some of that work in Australia in an effort to expedite the process and clear the backlog.”

The Minister advised anyone whose flight is cancelled that they are automatically entitled to a refund.

“Tiger Airways has advised that customers should receive an automatic refund within 20 days of their flight being cancelled. The airline advises that emails notifying customers of their flight’s cancellation and its commitment to automatically reimburse them are being sent to all passengers who have bookings between now and 31 July 2011.

“Tiger are also asking customers who have booked flights to regularly monitor the company website at www.tigerairways.com and advising that services to and from Singapore are not affected, including Singapore to and from Perth.”

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has filed an application with the Federal Court seeking an order that Tiger Airways Australia not fly until 1 August 2011. The suspension of their operating certificate continues in the meantime. The application was filed on Thursday 7 July 2011. The Federal Court has listed Friday 22 July 2011 for a directions hearing.

Mr Roberts said regulators would continue daily discussions with Tiger Airways to protect consumer interests.

FAIR TRADING HELPLINE FOR TRAVELLERS 1300 552 001

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