Major Airlines Fail to Deliver on COVID-19 Flight Refund Promises, Consumer Group Finds

"Customers whose flight has been cancelled can obtain a free online transfer to another flight, or receive a voucher for the value of their booking, or request a refund by filling out the request form available on our website," EasyJet said. Emirates has also expressed this willingness by adding the possibility of requesting a cash refund to its online form.

The hitch is that "at these companies, the refund form is very well hidden," notes UFC-Que Choisir. The situation has worsened, as foreign companies, such as Aeroflot, which were reimbursing in cash, are also following in the footsteps of the French companies. They now only offer their affected customers a voucher, reports Air Journal.

Based on these findings, UFC-Que Choisir states that "the refund is still at a standstill." "The airlines are taking advantage of the inaction of the authorities, particularly the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), who have been absent since the beginning of the crisis, to impose vouchers on passengers," denounces the consumer advocacy association.