MH has cancelled a route, giving crazy alternative

[oh_lol]

Hi all,
I was reading this article today about MH pulling the plug on DRW-KUL flights.
No Cookies | NT News

It's being reported that they are replacing the customers flight to/from DRW with SIN, with no chance of a refund.
Obviously this is ridiculous. Do you know what can be done about this?

I'm close friends with the tourism minister, and she's spoken to me about this to try figure out how she can help customers, but I wasn't able to offer much help.

 

[basso]

What do MH themselves have to say? I heard than refunds were on the table, as were options to use a Qantas domestic flight from Darwin to another port, such as Perth to connect to an MH service.

 

[dajop]

I wonder if something has been lost in translation ... that they will re-reroute passengers on MI or 3K between SIN & DRW and MH will be used between SIN & KUL. Often when route announcements are made it takes a few days to sort out the rerouting policy.

 

[mannej]

Do you have anymore than heresay, as I do recall MH re-accommodating affected pax onto QF services into SYD to catch the MH service from there when they pulled the BNE run.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,
I was reading this article today about MH pulling the plug on DRW-KUL flights.
No Cookies | NT News

It's being reported that they are replacing the customers flight to/from DRW with SIN, with no chance of a refund.
Obviously this is ridiculous. Do you know what can be done about this?

I'm close friends with the tourism minister, and she's spoken to me about this to try figure out how she can help customers, but I wasn't able to offer much help.

Airlines do cancel routes. Under Aussie comsumer laws you are entitled to a full refund of course, or the airline will usually offer you an alternative. This latter option is alluded to in their terms and conditions of carriage (10.2) - although that appears more relevant to a cancellation on the day of departure.

In this case, DRW-SIN on MI (Silkair) would be fine... it's a second tier full service carrier (meals and drinks included). From there you'd connect - presumably with MH - to KUL. They won't leave you stranded in SIN.

If they offer you Jetstar, it's up to you whether it suits your travel plans, particularly how much of the 'full service' MH includes (a bundle for example including meals, bags and entertainment). If that's not acceptable, you can get a refund.

You can suggest alternate routings... for example via another major post to connect with MH. Depends what their policy is on this (as per post #2 it may be an option on the table).

 

[Captain Halliday]

MH is offering several options to affected pax. Options 1 & 2 are available to all. Option 3 is avail only to pax booked in J:

1. Full refund
2. DRW-SIN on 3K with a connection on MH to KUL.
3. QF to ADL, PER, SYD or MEL, connecting to an MH flight to KUL