Election 2026: Labour to force airlines to give ‘automatic refunds’ for cancelled and changed flights
The New Zealand Labour Party has proposed a new policy to mandate automatic refunds for cancelled or significantly changed flights. The plan also includes requirements for airlines to display real-time airfares and improve transparency regarding baggage delays and service failures.
Why it matters
This policy aims to address cost-of-living concerns and increase competition in the airline industry, potentially setting a precedent for consumer protection in aviation.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins is proposing to force changes to how airlines treat cancelled flights. Photo / Cameron Pitney
The Labour Party is promising to force “big airlines” to provide automatic refunds if flights are cancelled or significantly changed if elected.
The party is also proposing to require compensation or reimbursement when checked bags are “significantly delayed or paid services aren’t delivered”.
The policies seek to make airfares more affordable and form planks of its cost-of-living plan.
Other aspects of the policy announced today by Labour leader Chris Hipkins and commerce and consumer affairs spokeswoman Arena Williams included requiring airlines to show “real-time airfares” so people could compare the true cost of flights.
Also covering this story
2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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