DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Dutch inspectorate says airlines need to speed up customer refunds
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Dutch inspectorate says airlines need to speed up customer refunds

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Too hot in southern Europe? Tourists might opt to visit the Netherlands insteadToo hot in southern Europe? Tourists might opt to visit the Netherlands instead
Clothes worn by Princess Diana to go on display in The HagueClothes worn by Princess Diana to go on display in The Hague
8 best parks in Amsterdam8 best parks in Amsterdam
Italian rail operator looking to launch new services from AmsterdamItalian rail operator looking to launch new services from Amsterdam
New kids-free zones on some Corendon flights from the NetherlandsNew kids-free zones on some Corendon flights from the Netherlands
Best things to do with kids this summer in the NetherlandsBest things to do with kids this summer in the Netherlands
Swiss travellers told to swap beach holiday for Dutch city trip this summerSwiss travellers told to swap beach holiday for Dutch city trip this summer
Two Sahara oryx - which are extinct in the wild - born at Amsterdam zooTwo Sahara oryx - which are extinct in the wild - born at Amsterdam zoo
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jul 21, 2020
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport; ILT) has imposed a deadline for airlines in the Netherlands, forcing them to issue refunds faster to customers who were unable to fly due to the coronavirus crisis.

KLM among airlines found to be too slow in refunding customers

The advice follows an investigation the ILT carried out, looking at 10 airlines, their refund policies, and the actions they have been taking since the outbreak of the coronavirus. Lufthansa, British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, and Delta Airlines were praised by the ILT for immediately issuing refunds to customers for trips affected by the pandemic.

On the other hand, KLM, Corendon, Transavia, and Tui initially only offered vouchers for customers, and only shifted to cash refunds following pressure from the European Commission and consumers' organisations. These airlines have been criticised by the ILT for being too slow to refund customers, some of whom wait months before their money is returned to them. The investigation also found that the refunds paid out by these companies were only paid out in small amounts

The deadline would force these airlines to refund customers within seven days of the cancelled flight. However, according to the airlines, this deadline is not always feasible, due to the high number of refund requests they have received. 

Return policy in the Netherlands

Talks are now taking place between the airlines and the ILT, to establish a system to ensure customers get their money back within a reasonable amount of time. The talks are set to take place throughout the rest of July and August, and any airline that doesn’t follow the agreed-upon measures will first receive a warning, and then a fine. 

Gerard Spierenburg of the Consumers' Association (consumentenbond) said airlines continue to abuse the power they hold over customers and fail to keep them informed of the risks they take when booking flights: “Even if you book a flight now, you run the risk of being cancelled within a few days. Then you get that voucher again and people feel robbed. Companies must make clear how big that risk is. At Transavia, the chance of cancellation is around 90 percent. If you know that as a consumer, you will make a different decision.''

If your flight has been cancelled because of the coronavirus, you are entitled to a refund for the total amount of the ticket price. While not all airlines stuck to this rule initially, policy changes mean you can apply for your refund.

By Victoria Séveno