Tigerair Australia has stopped taking new bookings to Bali as it continues to work with Indonesian authorities to resolve a last minute administrative change which forced the airline to ground flights to and from the popular destination last week.
In a Twitter update, the airline said it has placed a temporary pause on the sale of tickets between Australia and Bali until 25 March 2017.
The decision was made despite the airline saying it has “every intention” of resuming services to Bali “ASAP”.
Temporary pause of sale of tickets to/from Bali until 25/3/17 as we seek updated approvals. We have every intention of operating ASAP.
— Tigerair Australia (@TigerairAU) January 14, 2017
So far, some 1,700 travellers have been affected by the suspension of flights which started on Wednesday night after what was described as a last minute administrative change by the Indonesian government.
The carrier was given four days over the weekend to transport as many passengers as it could out of Indonesia, but was not allowed to fly in any new holidaymakers from Australia.
In an update on Friday, Tigerair said the suspension had been extended until at least 20 January, which will likely affect thousands of more travellers in the coming days.
Tigerair apologised for the inconvenience to passengers and is doing everything to support them during the suspension.
Customers will be contacted with refund details.
Holidaymakers caught in the ‘Tiger-mare’ have been advised by Comparetravelinsurance.com.au to hold onto their receipts, because they may be eligible to claim costs such as prepaid expenses and lost deposits.
Director, Natalie Ball, said claims will be assessed by all insurers on a case-by-case basis but in cases where the airline cancels flights, reimbursements are “likely to be the airline’s responsibility”.
“However, in events such as these flight reimbursements are likely to be the airline’s responsibility, not your travel insurer’s,” she said.
She continued, saying travellers should keep any additional expenses to “a reasonable minimum” and hold onto all receipts.
“If you haven’t bought travel cover we would strongly advise you to do so in the future. True to Smarttraveller’s mantra, ‘if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.’”