Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Air Niugini Rort?? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
brabes 07:12 UTC 13 Oct 2007 | Have just got back from 16 days in New Ireland, New Britain & Milne Bay areas. Prior to leaving Oz I noticed my internal flights had all been charged twice (about $745.00 extra) and tried to contact Air Ng via their Australian phone number but they could not help as the flights had been booked via internet and I would have to contact Air NG in Port Moresby. Made the call and they said they were aware of the problem and they had other passengers affected also. When asked why they hadn't refunded or credited the amount they said they were waiting for me to contact them . I have received an email confirming the double charge and stating they would credit my credit card. This was on 25th September and still no refund or replies to my emails to them last week. Any ideas where I go to now? Is there someone else I should be contacting in Oz or POM who can sort this out? My card issuer said they would try and sort it out but it will take about 45 days and they cannot guarantee success. On top of their continuous flight delays ( every flight ran late) this does not help their reputation. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. |
wanemya 08:23 UTC 13 Oct 2007 | Good luck. Monopolies tend to act like that. I recently bought a "flexible" ticket from ANG and now have to pay K250 to change the flight, even with 2 weeks notice. When they have cancelled my flights there is no announcement, no apology and no help. But, if it helps, they are not robbing you they are just plain inept in how they treat their customers. Their excess baggage charges are AUD$15 per kilo. They are the single biggest impediment to a flourishing tourist industry in PNG. Open, healthy competition would be a positive. Publicity also helps - send an email to drum@spp.com.pg and the publicity may assist. This is the email address for The Drum - a column in the Post Courier. | 1
ozziegiraffe 10:56 UTC 13 Oct 2007 | Hi, Brabes, I had similar problems with a cancelled internal flight with Solomon Airlines, bought in Honiara (I never deal with Solomon Airlines on the net, only through an Australian travel agent or through their local offices in SI.) When our flight was cancelled, and we couldn't change due to my return flight to Australia and appointments I had after I got back, I expected they would refund to my credit card as the "e-ticket" they gave me said refunds only to credit card holder. Instead, I had to go to a different office blocks away in Honiara, and wait for them to do refund paperwork, an then return to the cashier in the main office to get a cash refund. I suspect you will be able to get your refund, in cash, in Port Moresby, as long as you get to the office before the flight is actually scheduled. Knowing there is a major review of Solomon Airlines on at present, I wrote a letter to the national newspaper the next day about this and a couple of other tourist-unfriendly problems I had had with Solomon Airlines (mostly involving the complete neglect of disabled access). As I taught the editor for 3 years when he was in high school, my letter got published very quickly, and several locals who have contact with overseas visitors thanked me for writing it. I would agree with Wanemya - write a letter to The Drum. | 2