Australia commits A$40m to overhaul airline complaints system
Australia's federal government has announced nearly A$40 million to fund an overhaul of aviation consumer rights, following months of flight cancellation and delay chaos. The package envisages an independent oversight body. Industry says compliance costs could feed through to ticket prices.
Australia's federal government has announced nearly A$40 million to fund a fundamental overhaul of airline consumer rights, following months of flight cancellations and major delays. ABC News reports the package will include an independent aviation consumer ombudsman and a revamped advance-notice and refund regime.
The new system will require carriers to disclose the reason for cancellations and to offer written alternatives for both onward flights and accommodation. Consumer groups have long argued that complaints get bounced between fragmented bodies, with outcomes that arrive too late to matter. The new mechanism introduces mandatory response timelines.
Qantas, Virgin Australia and REX have asked the government for consultation on compliance requirements. The industry has warned that the extra costs could feed into ticket prices. The government says the regime will roll out in stages, with the full framework due to be in force by the middle of 2026.
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