Qantas Fined €61 Million for ‘Ghost Flights’ Scandal: A Reminder of the Need for Transparency in the Airline Industry

The Australian airline Qantas was fined approximately 61 million euros for the “ghost flights” scandal, in which it was found to have sold tickets for flights that had already been canceled. In addition to the fine, Qantas must pay 12 million euros in compensation to 86,000 affected travelers. The Australian Competition Authority stated that Qantas had admitted to deceiving consumers by selling tickets for flights that were already canceled.

Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson issued a statement apologizing for the company’s failure to notify customers of cancellations in a timely manner. She acknowledged that many customers had been affected by this oversight and expressed regret for the situation. The investigation into the “ghost flights” scandal revealed the extent of Qantas’ deception and the impact it had on thousands of travelers.

The company’s actions were found to be in violation of consumer protection laws, leading to the hefty fine and compensation payments. Moving forward, Qantas will need to address the issues that led to the scandal and work to rebuild trust with its customers. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the airline industry.