Qantas Settles $105M COVID Flight Credit Lawsuit

0:00Local headlines in two minutes or less, you're tuned in to Sydney News today. Quantus has agreed to a $105 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over flight credits from the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal covers customers whose flights were canceled by the airline between January 2020 and November 2022. It's subject to federal court approval, and Quantus isn't emitting any liability. The class action was filed in August 2023, claiming Quantus broke contract rules by not issuing cash refunds for those canceled flights. This amount tops the $55 million the airline had set aside earlier this year for the case. Analysts say the settlement was expected after a long legal fight, and it won't hurt Quantus financially since they prepare for it. Experts note it helps the airline move forward under new CEO Vanessa Hudson, distancing from past issues like ghost flights and layoffs. Back during the pandemic, former CEO Alan Joyce promised credits would never expire and

1:01customers could get cash refunds anytime. But adding expiry dates and defaulting to credits drew criticism from shareholders and put the airline on shaky legal ground. If approved, the money goes to a court administrator, and affected customers could see payments in their bank accounts by the end of this year. A notice will go out soon explaining how to claim a share. But for now, no action is needed from group members. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. You know what is better than earbuds and bed? No earbuds at all. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.