Emirates refunds $1.72 billion to customers hit by coronavirus travel restrictions

Emirates refunds $1.72 billion to customers hit by coronavirus travel restrictions

Emirates refunds $1.72 billion to customers hit by coronavirus travel restrictions

Emirates refunds $1.72 billion to customers hit by coronavirus travel restrictions

Over the seven-month period, which started April, Emirates processed 1.7 million refund requests. (AFP)

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Emirates refunds $1.72 billion to customers hit by coronavirus travel restrictions

Emirates also managed over 130,000 refunds-related queries from customers and travel agency partners

Updated 25 November 2020

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DUBAI: Dubai-based carrier Emirates has refunded $1.72 billion to customers who were unable to take their scheduled flights due to coronavirus travel restrictions the airline announced on Wednesday.

Over the seven-month period from April, the airline processed 1.7 million refund requests and returned about $1.28 billion to passengers who booked tickets directly with Emirates, and the balance reimbursed via travel agencies.

Emirates also managed over 130,000 refunds-related queries from customers and travel agency partners and made status changes to nearly 4 million flight coupons, the statement added.

"In the early months of 2020, COVID-19 massively disrupted travel around the world and led to an unprecedented volume of refunds requests across the aviation and travel industry, including at Emirates,“ Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said.

"It was not a situation any airline wanted, particularly while also facing a cash crunch from drastically reduced operations. Through