Ansett passengers hit by delayed flights will be offered full refunds on their tickets, but will not receive compensation for any losses on pre-booked accommodation, the airline said yesterday. We're not in a position where we'll be offering compensation at the moment. It would be the passenger's responsibility to extend their accommodation, she said. Ansett staff were encouraged to use their initiative in making passengers more comfortable as they waited for delayed flights at airports around the country yesterday, Ms O'Brien said.
Staff can use their judgment to best serve the interests of the passenger.
Some passengers were being offered day accommodation at hotels if it was believed the wait at the airport would be too uncomfortable. Others forced to wait overnight were being offered accommodation at Melbourne hotels, including the Radisson, the Park Royal, and the Hilton. About 1400 passengers were forced to wait overnight on Thursday for delayed flights. Passengers who would have received a meal on their flight were directed to bistros within the airport where they would be served on presentation of their boarding pass. He said while business had been extremely busy on Friday, it had mostly died down again yesterday.