Troubled carrier Air Berlin will have to cease operating flights by October 28, according to a notice on its website.
An FAQ posted to the airline’s booking site says it “will no longer be possible” to operate during insolvency proceedings, however NIKI flights will not be affected by the move, as the carrier is not part of the insolvency.
Air Berlin filed for administration in August following withdrawal of investment from partner Etihad. The carrier received an emergency loan from the German government to keep its planes in the air while it looked for potential buyers. Negotiations are under way with Lufthansa and Easyjet, who each put forward bids to purchase parts of the airline. A decision on purchase agreements is expected as early as tomorrow (October 12).
The online FAQ informs passengers that any tickets booked prior to August 15 – when the airline filed for administration – are not entitled to any kind of refund. Seats purchased after this date will be reimbursed – minus taxes and fees – if the flight will no longer be operated, however customers will not be entitled to rebook with another carrier through Air Berlin.
Despite the notice, the airline will continue to offer tickets on flights, though it does not guarantee services will continue after November 1. Flights set to depart after this date are secured by a trustee, so passengers will receive a refund should operations cease, but only if the purchase was made after August 15.
Read the full FAQ here.
Molly Dyson
