Until now, air tickets under territorial continuity regimes have been treated as cashier's checks: passengers are entitled to a refund of those 62 euros – pennies more, pennies less – for connections with Rome and 72 for those with Milan at any time. If they decide not to leave, even at the last minute (provided they haven't completed check-in yet), they can get their money back. A guarantee which, however, has caused a side effect over the years: the phenomenon of multiple bookings. Since there is no penalty, there are those who buy more than one ticket (with different times) for a single journey, to then choose the most convenient flight for their needs shortly before leaving. This habit floods the reservation systems: so the plane appears fully booked up to the last minute, even if some seats become free at the time of take-off.

The scenery

Now AeroItalia is trying to limit this phenomenon by denying immediate refunds to passengers who cancel their departure. "But travelers have the right to have an automatic crediting of the money spent," attacks Gian Mario Pileri, regional president of Fiavet (Italian federation of travel and tourism business associations).

The attack

«It is a further tax against the Sardinians. Until two weeks ago all the companies guaranteed immediate reimbursement. Also AeroItalia». Instead now the company that manages the territorial continuity in Olbia and Alghero has communicated the turnaround. «We were told that vouchers would be issued to be used within a year. It is unacceptable, the rules of continuity provide for a full refund », explains Pileri.

AeroItalia defends itself: «There are people who make multiple bookings and then ask for refunds, even ten at a time. These are purchases made using credit cards and the institutions ask for a bank commission both for the purchase and for the refund. Therefore: not only do we not take a euro because the ticket is cancelled, but we also have to pay a 1.6% tax for each operation», says the company's managing director Gaetano Intrieri.

mr

All the details on L'Unione Sarda on newsstands today

© Riproduzione riservata