Overbooking leaves Air Namibia passengers in the lurch

Airline Industry Information, Jan 10, 2001

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Air Namibia was forced to refuse aircraft seats to hundreds of passengers at Hosea Kutako International Airport over the weekend (6-7 January) due to overbooking of flights.

Officials at the airport have estimated that the carrier turned away some 350 passengers holding valid tickets for flights to Europe and Angola, many of whom had to be accommodated in hotels by the airline.

Air Namibia has stated that the overbooking occurred due to an unexpected number of tourists visiting during the Christmas period, but admitted to only 40 passengers booked to Frankfurt, Germany and eight booked for Luanda being turned away.

A spokesperson for the airline stated that the overbookings were within the limits set by the International Air Travel Association, according to The Namibian newspaper.

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