In Reply to: Indojet are travel agents.... posted by Baldie on Sunday, 16. August 2009 at 11:06 Bali Time:
Australian Federation of Travel Agents does not represent the full cross-section of travel agents in Australia. There are many (and when I operated Golden Bali & Global Travel in Adelaide I was one) who elect to not spend the un-necessary money required to become an AFTA Member. The AFTA logo on a Travel Agent's door/window does in no way indicate that the agent is operating ethically. AFTA is really just an "Industry Association"as you will find in any industry sector. AFTA can give you little more than a "token expression of sympathy".
The only real criteria for legitimacy is holding a Licence to operate as a Travel Agent issued by the respective State/Territory Government and membershp of the TCF (Travel Compensation Fund) which is compulsory for Travel Agents in all States except N.T. (who being "different" decided against making TCF Membership compulsory).
TCF can only become involved if a Travel Agency goes into liquidation or ceases to operate. In the case of IndoJet, they have been particularly careful to emphasise that they have "just temporarily suspended services" - although I do wonder for how long this "ploy" will continue to work for them. As long as they continue to trade and "fob-off" their ticket holders who are seeking refunds, then TCF can not itervene.
If there was an issue in monies paid to OzJet being returned to IndoJet before any refunds could be made to ticket-holders whose flights were cancelled or affected by their period of "suspension of services", then this should have been clearly indicated when IndoJet invited tickets to be returned for refund (within 6 weeks) - and NOT NOW when the 6 weeks period has expired!
IndoJet is clearly playing every card possible to stave-off what will ultimately be the inevitable collapse.
As I have said previously, I believe that the W.A. Government's Consumer Affairs Department which I believe would also be responsible for Travel Agency Licensing, to step-in and start asking some very pertinent questions to the owners of IndoJet. If their response is considered to be unsatisfactory, then they should consider revoking the Travel Agency Licence for IndoJet. If this happens, then they WILL fold and the TCF can become involved to assist in the provision of refunds for affected ticket-holders.
There may also be a firm of Lawyers in W.A. who would be prepared to take-on a "class action" against IndoJet on behalf of their affected ticket-holders - on a pro-bono basis.
Just my thoughts....but it's people like IndoJet's management who give the legitimate Travel Agents - and this is the vast majority - a tainted reputation. They deserve to be "taken to the cleaners"!!
Cheers
LES