Airfasttickets suspended by international airline trade body
Holidaymakers that booked with the online travel agent are being urged to check that their tickets are still valid for travel.
Airfasttickets, a Greek online travel agency, has been suspended by the International Air Transport Association because of debts to airlines totalling 45 million euros (£36 million).
The trade body, which represents over 240 airlines from across the world, said the firm had missed the deadline for payment for sales in May.
The company reportedly owes 14 million euros for tickets issued in the UK, 22 million euros for those issued in Germany and nine million euros for those issued in Greece.
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What this means for travellers
The suspension by the IATA means Airfasttickets is no longer permitted to sell scheduled airline tickets directly to the public.
However, the firm’s website and Facebook account all appear to be active despite the action from the international airline trade body.
In a message on its Facebook page the firm stated: "Airfasttickets has been in discussions with IATA regarding the terms of its payment and bond/guarantee obligations as a result of the rapid and considerable increase in the Company's sales volume.
"These discussions are still ongoing and confidential. We are very confident that a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached. Rest assured, the Company remains financially stable and our business operations are continuing as usual.”
But numerous Facebook users angrily responded to the message.
Many reported tickets bought in June being cancelled without explanation, but never receiving a refund. Others reported airlines contacting them to say their booking had not been paid for.
One user complained: "I booked a ticket via your company on 20th June. I have repeatedly phoned and emailed requesting confirmation of my booking, only to be told by the airline today, that my booking was cancelled on the same day it was received? You have taken £170 out of my account and cancelled my ticket. What is the meaning of this?"
While another said: "Just had Air Canada on the phone asking who I booked my ticket with etc. Allegedly they have not been paid ?! I fly in less than 3 weeks."
A blanket response instructing customers to contact Airfasttickets privately was posted by the firm after each complaint.
The IATA could not tell us whether those who have booked tickets already are impacted by the suspension. But travellers that used the company to book flights should double check directly with the airline to see if their tickets are still valid for travel.
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