Passengers still up in the air over Origin tickets

Travellers are still unclear if they will be able to use their plane tickets, or if they are going to get a refund in the wake of the collapse of Origin Pacific's passenger service.

The regional airline announced last night it had been unable to secure millions of dollars in a much needed cash injection to keep the service going.

Origin was still able to continue its freight service.

Origin said Air New Zealand had originally agreed to take on the extra passengers, but had since reneged on their arrangement following comments from National MP Nick Smith.

Dr Smith accused Air New Zealand of "anti-competitive pricing" and the impact this had had on Origin's ability to survive.

Air New Zealand today announced it would offer Origin's passengers special standby fares.

Chief financial officer Rob McDonald said Origin had still not committed to transferring the money its customers had paid to travel to Air New Zealand.

"Until Origin does that Air New Zealand will not be able to re-accommodate those customers affected by the suspension of the regional carrier's services.

"Nevertheless, in the meantime we are keen to assist Origin's customers by offering them special standby fares, so they can still undertake their journeys," Mr McDonald said.

Air New Zealand would also be using larger aircraft in and out of Nelson on an "ad hoc" basis to cope with the extra demand, Mr McDonald said.

And Origin passengers who had bought their tickets through the Flight Centre travel agency are being offered a full refund.

Flight Centre general manager Rick Hamilton said the retailer had supported the airline as it offered real competition on domestic routes and he was disappointed at the airline's inability to continue with passenger services.

"It now seems likely that regional domestic airfares will be increasing in the near future, as there is simply no competition to keep them down."

And for those travellers who are still confused over what to do with their ticket, the Consumer Institute has offered some advice.

Consumer chief executive David Russell said if passengers booked through a travel agent, they should contact them and discuss rebooking on another airline -- which would probably be Air New Zealand.

"The agent should be holding what you paid for the Origin ticket and this will be transferred to the new ticket. If the new ticket costs more, then expect to pay the difference."

Mr Russell said if the ticket was paid by credit card, then immediately ask the bank to reverse the charge and re-book on another airline.

"If you have paid Origin by cash or cheque you may be in trouble.

"Under an agreement made with creditors in 2004 when the company was first in financial trouble, all payments made by cash or cheque for future travel were supposed to held in a separate trust account."

Mr Russell said the status of that account was uncertain, but customers should attempt to contact Origin to ask for a refund.

- NZPA