Passengers on Mexican discount airline Interjet were hit by a slew of cancellations between July 29 and 31, disrupting the travel plans of almost 10,000 passengers. In total 46 flights were cancelled, while 20 others suffered long delays.
Internet explained that the cancellations were due to “operational restructuring” and would not continue after August 1. According to the airline, the cancellations represented four percent of its entire flight itinerary.
This is not the first time Interjet has canceled blocks of flights. During a seven-day period at the end of March, the airline canceled 76 flights, affecting 11,936 passengers, according to Profeco, the national consumers’ rights association.
The Interjet website outlines its responsibilities in the event of flight cancellation for causes attributable to the airline. The company must:
1. Refund the price paid for the contracting of services or the amount corresponding to the unused portion of the trip
2. Offer, with all means available, substitute transportation on the first available flight, and provide, at least and without charge, a telephone or cabled service to communicate with the point of destination; food in accordance with the waiting time until boarding another flight; overnight accommodation in an airport or city hotel, when required and, in the latter case, ground transportation to and from the airport, or
3. Provide transportation at a later date as appropriate to the passenger, to the destination for which the boarding was refused.
In the cases of sections 1 and 2 above, the airline shall also pay compensation to the affected passenger for an amount no less than 25 percent of the price paid for the contracted services or the unused portion of the trip.
Complaints can be filed with Profeco; for information, call 800-468-8722, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.