Aeroflot’s conscience awakes

Aeroflot has reacted to Russian and Japanese tour operator’s indignation and sent out its new tickets refund conditions to/from Tokyo. Now the airline is ready to reimburse the costs of tickets departing from March 11 to April 10, 2011 and to re-book these airfares for other dates no later than May 15, 2011 at no extra fees or other charges.

On April 18, Friday Russian Union of Travel Industry’s Press Office released information regarding Aeroflot’s extortionate sanctions and its failure to refund tickets cancelled due to MFA’s and RosTourism’s advice against travel to Japan. In reply the airline simply sent out an e-mail that only allowed full refunds for flights departing no later than March 20. While the group tickets couldn’t be cancelled at all, they could only move the dates, which is in fact 100% cancellation fee. At the same time Japanese tour operators and JAL refund their customers in full with no penalty fees whatsoever.

Even the Japanese travel companies considered Aeroflot behavior to be an attempt to cash in on the grief and tragedy of Japanese people. JIC Travel Center Company forwarded an official letter to Russian Ambassador to Tokyo Mr. Andrew Beliy, expressing its indignation and demanding to carry out an official investigation on this case.

Late at night on March 18 the airline’s representatives answering to the press’s requests announced that the money for tickets would be refunded. Two days later tour operators received a letter that allowed free cancellations for the flights departing before March 31. Next that period has been extended until April 10.

Thus Aeroflot allowed “to issue induced refunds for tickets to/from Tokyo departing from 11-Mar-2011 to 10-Apr-2011 at the place of purchase; and to re-book the tickets for other flights departing no later than 15-May-2011 at no penalties and extra fees. Until April 10 Aeroflot Office in Tokyo will be accepting for travel the holders of valid tickets for other Aeroflot flights (if there are free seats) at no additional cost.  

By doing so Aeroflot fulfilled the demand of JIC Travel Center Company’s Director Mr. Fushida Masayoshi who in his letter to Russian Ambassador claimed that the tickets must be fully refunded at least within 30 days after the earthquake.