ACCC investigates complaints about airlines flying to Australia during Covid-19

Australia’s consumer watchdog is investigating international airlines flying into the country during the pandemic, amid allegations operators are cancelling economy passengers’ tickets in favour of business and first-class customers, as companies comply with a strict cap on overseas arrivals. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s inquiry comes after the opposition infrastructure and transport spokeswoman, Catherine King, wrote to the ACCC chair, Rod Sims, on Wednesday following the Guardian’s reports of allegedly “unethical” behaviour from some airlines. Accusations include customers claiming airlines are repeatedly removing economy passengers, citing an overbooked flight, while still selling more expensive seats for the same service on their websites. Australian families stranded in Lebanon for more than a month after their original flight was due to depart are among the travellers waiting for airlines to honour their economy tickets back home. On Wednesday, Qatar Airways was only selling business-class tickets to Australia, with a one-way Doha-to-Sydney ticket priced at $8,400. The next economy ticket available was on 20 September, for $3,600 one way. <br/>