Jetstar NZ Consumer Commission penalty

[Mwenenzi]

NZ consumer law a little harder than in Au. But only very little
NZ Commerce commission case register from Jan 2025

Commerce Commission - Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd

comcom.govt.nz

The Commission has filed 20 representative charges under section 13(i) of the Fair Trading Act 1986 against Jetstar Airways Pty Limited for making false or misleading representations to consumers about their rights to compensation when flights were delayed or cancelled for reasons within its control. The Commission alleges the representations did not accurately reflect consumer’s rights under the Civil Aviation Act 1990 or the Montreal Convention.

For reference QF link on NZ Civil Aviation Act

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/new-zealand-civil-aviation-act-information.html

The following information is a supplement to our Conditions of Carriage.
Where your New Zealand domestic flight has been delayed or cancelled, you may be entitled under the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and/or Civil Aviation Act 2023 to claim the lesser of:

1. the amount of damage proved to have been sustained as a result of the delay; or
2. an amount representing 10 times the sum paid for the carriage.

You may also be entitled to a remedy under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Budget airline Jetstar apologises for misleading New Zealand customers as hefty fine looms

The budget airline was taken to court over charges that it discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they were legally entitled to for delayed or cancelled flights.

www.rnz.co.nz

Budget airline Jetstar has apologised to New Zealand customers as it anticipates a hefty fine after pleading guilty to misleading flyers about their rights.

The Commerce Commission took Jetstar to court over charges that it discouraged consumers from seeking compensation they were legally entitled to for delayed or cancelled flights.

Representatives from both parties appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday for sentencing, however Judge Gibson reserved his decision for a later date.
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Jetstar could face at least $1.5m fine for ‘reckless’ attitude to refunds

'Critical part of economy' put at risk by Jetstar's actions, court is told.

www.nzherald.co.nz

(behind paywall)

The Post

www.thepost.co.nz

Commerce Commission seeks ‘substantial’ fine for Jetstar
Jetstar should face a “substantial penalty” after pleading guilty to misleading customers over their rights to compensation for delayed and cancelled flights, the Commerce Commission said at the District Court in Auckland on Thursday.

Counsel for the commission Jacob Barry said the starting point for sentencing should be a fine of $2.5 million with discounts of 25% for an early guilty plea, and 10% for its cooperation with the commission’s behaviour.
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[Mwenenzi]

RNZ Jetstar fined more than $2 million for misleading customers over compensation

Jetstar has been fined $2.25 million over misleading customers about what compensation they were entitled to after cancelled or delayed flights.

The low cost airline, owned by Qantas, was sentenced over 20 charges at the Auckland District Court today. The charges were filed by the commerce commission in January this year, after the company failed to comply following warnings in 2015 and 2021. Jetstar received a 35 percent discount on the fine for an early guilty plea and not having a previous conviction in New Zealand.
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JQ NZ only have a few aircraft and operate limited NZ domestic routes