BARIG welcomes decision of the German Federal Government

The Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG), the joint representation of interests of more than 100 German, European and global airlines, welcomed the decision made by the so-called "Corona-Cabinet" of the German Federal Government for a temporary suspension of the reimbursement obligation for flights cancelled due to a pandemic.

 

"Germany is choosing a fair, reasonable and future-securing path for all parties involved," emphasised BARIG secretary general Michael Hoppe. "This measure can contribute significantly to preventing a European collapse of the aviation and travel industry, which seemed inconceivable until recently. Therefore, we count on the leading role of the EU to implement this fair regulation quickly and unbureaucratically for all of Europe in the interest of citizens, the economy and the affected companies."

 

The Corona-crisis poses an unprecedented threat to the entire aviation and travel industry. Airlines are compelled to cancel their flights virtually altogether. If the airlines had to reimburse these crisis-related cancellations in full, most of them would go out of business. Instead, the regulation advocated by the Federal Government for this highly exceptional situation provides, in the interest of all, that direct repayments be made only in cases of hardship. In all other cases, customers shall receive vouchers valid until December 31, 2021. Customers not redeeming the voucher by that date shall then receive a refund.

 

Michael Hoppe: "This regulation will benefit customers, the travel industry and the aviation industry. The drastic repercussions of the Corona-crisis for aviation have already been felt and would continue to have dramatic consequences for jobs, economic power, mobility, trade and the transport of goods far into the future. The entire economic cycle would be severely impaired for months, perhaps even years. Elementary steps to set the course for a recovery of the system following the end of the Corona-crisis must, therefore, now be taken through the right decision at EU-level.” - TradeArabia News Service