KEY POINTS:
More than 100 New Zealanders who snapped up extremely cheap airfares yesterday will have their money refunded and tickets voided.
One-way tickets from Auckland to Europe through airline KLM started at just $50 on its website yesterday. Return business trips were priced at $500. But the fares were a result of a filing error, KLM spokeswoman Elizabeth Vangalen told the Weekend Herald from Amsterdam last night.
"It's a filing mistake, a human error," she said. "The tariffs vary a lot from day to day, so there are a lot of chances for human error."
The airline did not have the final number of tickets bought at the reduced price, but already more than 100 tickets had been identified. The number could rise to as high as 300, she said. Full refunds would be made "as soon as possible".
The bookings had already been cancelled, Ms Vangalen said, and the airline believed there was no chance any travellers wanting to have their tickets honoured would get their way.
But simply voiding the tickets when it was realised a mistake had been made was not good enough, one angry traveller said last night.
David Smith, who had been planning a trip to London with his partner for some time, bought two return tickets on his credit card yesterday. When taxes, surcharges and reservation fees were added the cost was $660. Mr Smith said he had given his employer the dates of his trip, and had booked accommodation in London.
"I'm a professional myself and if I make a mistake I'm held accountable for it. I don't just say to a customer, 'I cocked up, now give me the money back'," he said
