Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia is refunding almost 10,000 customers after illegally charging their children a $60 departure tax for almost seven years.
Travellers flying from Darwin to Bali were wrongly slugged the Passenger Movement Charge between December 2010 and September 2017.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has confirmed AirAsia would be refunding 9,700 customers, a total of $582,000, who were illegally charged for child passengers younger than 12.
AirAsia has admitted to illegally slugging 9,700 customers an additional $60 departure tax
Bali belly: AirAsia will have to cough up for illegally charging customers flying to Kuta
‘Some AirAsia customers have been incorrectly charged for a levy of up to $60 that did not apply. Affected customers should contact AirAsia to obtain a refund for that charge,’ ACCC deputy chairman Dr Michael Schaper said.
The competition regulator says AirAsia had emailed affected customers but is urging those who haven’t been contacted to notify the airline via its website.
The Malaysian budget carrier was alerted to the situation after Darwin traveller Thomas Sawyer contacted the Northern Territory News in September.
‘I’m particularly pleased because I spent 12 months trying to get people to fix this before I went to the NT News for help,’ he said, adding Darwin-based Turnbull government minister Nigel Scullion and federal Labor MP Luke Gosling did nothing about it.
AirAsia is refunding a total of $582,000 to almost 9,700 customers charged a departure tax
Dr Schaper said Air Asia acted quickly to rectify the error and would provide refunds within 21 days.
As reported in September, AirAsia’s Indonesia branch had been charging a $60 departure tax for children travelling from Darwin and Perth.
The airline had admitted to Daily Mail Australia, via an AirAsia Indonesia spokesman, the $60 fee had been ‘levied in error’ to kids flying out of Darwin.
The airline promised in September to refund all those who were unfairly charged the $60 tax.
‘AirAsia acknowledges that this charge has been levied in error and is identifying passengers who may have been affected,’ the AirAsia spokesman said.
‘A mechanism for providing refunds is being established and affected guests will be informed of how they can obtain their refund.’
The airline said it was ‘liaising with the relevant authorities on the tax remittance and will comply accordingly with any directions.’
The sun has set on AirAsia illegally charging kids a $60 departure tax from 2010 to late 2017
Rival airline Jetstar shows a detailed breakdown of fares, taxes and fees – clearly revealing that adult tickets cost $60 more than children due to the inclusion of the Passenger Movement
Meanwhile, AirAsia’s breakdown of fares, taxes and fees for a similar flight show no difference in price between adult and children tickets. AirAsia have since rectified the error
A breakdown of fares, taxes and fees shows no difference in price between an adult and a child with the AirAsia website, while rival airline Jetstar is $60 cheaper for kids.
Mr Sawyer claimed he approached AirAsia for an explanation, but was simply told to send in the details of his purchase.