Colombia's civil aviation authority (Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil - Aerocivil) has announced it has opened an investigation into four local carriers and four local travel agencies over their alleged failures to adequately inform customers of fees charged for ticket changes and cancellations.
The carriers affected include Avianca (Bogotá), EasyFly (Colombia) (Bogotá), ADA - Aerolínea de Antioquia (Medellín Enrique Olaya Herrera), and Satena (9R, Bogotá) while the travel agencies named include Viajes Chapinero L'Alianxa, Multidestinos Express Viajes, Éxito Viajes & Turismo, and Aero Vacaciones.
Should they be found liable, Colombian aviation regulations allow them to be fined the equivalent of 450 monthly minimum wages, i.e. COP310 million peso (USD107,250).
"Airlines and travel agents are obliged to inform the passenger about everything related to their journey in a complete, accurate and sufficient manner," Aerocivil director general, Alfredo Bocanegra Male, said. "If they do not, they will be exposed to the severe sanctions that are included within the aeronautical regulations."
