Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and three low cost carriers have not returned airfares amounting to billions of won to passengers who bought tickets but did not take the flight over the past year, an opposition party lawmaker said Tuesday.
Citing the data submitted by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Rep. Kang Ki-gap of the Democratic Labor Party said the country’s two flagship carriers and three budget airlines ― Jeju Air, Air Busan and Jin Air ― have not returned the combined 3.8 billion won ($3.2 million) back to customers who purchased seats but were not able to board the airplane over the past year.
Korean Air topped the list as it did not refund 1.86 billion won, followed by Asiana Airlines at 1.1 billion won and Jeju Air at 400 million won.
``Airlines do not voluntarily reimburse airfares to air travelers who did not board the airplane. Companies return money only when passengers demand a refund. Airlines should make more efforts to inform customers that such a return policy exists,’’ Kang said.
In response, airliners said it is not easy for them to voluntarily refund as they do not keep customer information after flight dates. They said customers need to request for reimbursement within a year from the missed flight date, adding airfare refunds are available to those who make the request even after one year.