Delay in flight refunds leaves many stranded Australians unable to afford a new flight home

A plane takes off at sunset

Source: AAP

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents says ten billion dollars’ worth of travel was cancelled when borders closed in March last year. Ten months later only six billion of this has been returned, meaning there's at least four billion dollars owed to Australians in unpaid refunds.


Cancelled flights are common experience for many Australians overseas and Australians are waiting on at least four billion dollars in refunds from travel cancelled due to COVID-19.

Persistence is key when asking for a refund, according to consumer organisation CHOICE. CHOICE travel expert Jodi Bird says don't assume that airlines are putting passenger interests first.

 "If you're trying to get a refund or a credit from the airline, the best way to go about it is to call them or try their online booking systems. If you're really persisting for a long time, several months, and you're not getting anywhere try their social media accounts as you will often get a result on those accounts."

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People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Find out what restrictions are in place for your state or territory.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at http://www.sbs.com.au/coronavirus

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