Airlines face crackdown over coronavirus refunds

Airline regulators are expected to this week launch a crackdown on carriers which have failed to refund families for flights cancelled due to coronavirus, as the industry reels from new restrictions over Spain. The Civil Aviation Authority is understood to have drawn up a list of the worst culprits, with millions of customers still owed billions of pounds after being told they could not fly. Enforcement action could end up with airlines being banned from operating in the UK. An announcement has been pencilled in over the coming days, although this timetable may slip as the watchdog grapples with the impact of a fresh two-week quarantine for arrivals from Spanish airports. Airlines’ failure to hand out refunds has sparked fury from passengers who have been forced to axe holidays. The CAA has now whittled down the list of firms facing action to a handful of carriers. It remains unclear which companies could be subject to a sanction.<br/>