New ACCC powers could change Tiger and Jetstar practices

The ACCC now appears to have consumer law powers that could force Tiger and Jetstar to abandon some of their practices which breach the new Australian Comsumer Law.

According to an advisory note aimed at the aviation sector, new penalties up to 1.1 million can be issued by the ACCC as well as infringement notices (like speeding fines) of up to $66,000.

Concerns which are being targeted by the ACCC include:

* overbooking and denied boarding policies;

* the availability and processing of refunds;

* limitation of liabilities; and

* limitation of time periods for customer claims.

Do you think this will have an impact on the extra fees being levied by most major airlines currently? Or do you think that this is a case of the Australian consumer not caring enough to protest?