Bestjet slaps AFTA with injunction over ATAS snub
The decision to refuse the renewal of Bestjet’s ATAS accreditation has seen Queensland’s Supreme Court grant the online retailer an injunction against the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA).
However, the injunction will prevent AFTA from being able to act on its decision to refuse renewal to Bestjet.
Bestjet managing director Rachel James insisted her team had “worked hard” to comply with AFTA’s requirements.
“We are very proud to be part of an industry offering consumers so much variety in the market, yet it is a challenging time when independent operators are increasingly being unfairly challenged,” she said.
“This outcome is a small acknowledgment of all the hard work we have put in to meeting the requirements for membership.”
Bestjet entered the Australian market in 2012, with the elimination of “unnecessary” booking fees a key part of its offering.
“Our focus is and always will be providing travellers with the best airline prices by offering more than 300 carriers internationally, to almost every destination and without unnecessary booking fees,” James continued.
The matter will return before the Supreme Court of Queensland on Thursday, 31 March 2016 at 10am.
AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury said he was unable to comment on the matter as a result of the injunction.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
accreditation afta agents atas Bestjet jayson westbury otas Rachel JamesLatest News
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