Division of Transportation officers are sending 1000’s of buyer complaints on to Southwest Airways, together with these alleging delays in refunds for the service’s vacation cancellations.
“For the reason that Southwest meltdown, DOT has acquired 1000’s of client complaints about Southwest — together with complaints about lack of ticket refunds and reimbursements for companies when a traveler was stranded,” the DOT mentioned in a press release to CNN.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasised Southwest’s blame.
“Our division will proceed to carry Southwest to its accountability to deal with prospects affected by vacation journey disruptions. We are going to implement their accountability to refund flight tickets and reimburse for alternate & floor transport, baggage prices, meals & motels,” Mr. Buttigieg tweeted.
The division, which beforehand imposed a seven-day deadline to satisfy refund requests made for card-purchased tickets and a 20-day deadline for money or check-purchased tickets, is now demanding Southwest reply to every grievance inside 60 days.
The air service faces 1000’s of each refunds and potential complaints ensuing from the delays and cancellations attributable to winter climate and technological troubles throughout the vacation season.
From Dec. 21-31, Southwest canceled 16,700 flights; of these, greater than 13,000 got here from Dec. 24-29. The strikes stand to value the service $725 million to $825 million, in keeping with the enterprise publication Journey Weekly.
The airline has dedicated to reimbursing assorted bills, together with journey, lodging and meals, of passengers whose flights had been nixed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2.
Southwest Airways has not but responded to a request for remark.
