Chuseok Airline Ticket Cancellation and Change Advisory Issued Amid Dispute Surge

As the purchase of airline tickets increases ahead of the Chuseok holiday, authorities have issued a warning as complaints continue to rise regarding excessive fees charged during ticket cancellations and changes, flight delays or cancellations, and damaged baggage.

The Korea Consumer Agency and the Fair Trade Commission announced today (September 14) that they have issued a consumer damage advisory, anticipating an increase in aviation service-related consumer complaints for the Chuseok holiday.

Over the past three years (2023–2025), a total of 7,438 applications for remedy regarding airline services were filed, showing an average annual increase of 37.0%.

This significantly exceeds the average annual growth rate of outbound travelers (14.1%) during the same period.

By reason for application, contract cancellations accounted for the largest share at 4,341 cases (58.4%).

This was followed by non-fulfillment of contracts such as cancellations and delays with 2,020 cases (27.2%), and unfair practices with 394 cases (5.3%).

Notably, many damage cases involved change and cancellation fees charged separately by travel agencies or global online travel agencies (OTAs) aside from airline fees.

According to the Consumer Agency, one consumer purchased seven round-trip tickets from Incheon to Da Nang through a travel agency and canceled them five days later, but was charged a total of 770,000 won in fees, including travel agency cancellation fees separate from the airline's cancellation fees.

Damages caused by flight cancellations and delays also persist, and consumers should note that compensation may be difficult to obtain if there is no fault on the part of the airline, such as due to adverse weather conditions, airport circumstances, or aircraft inspections.

Checked baggage damage is also frequent.

Among the airline service dispute cases filed last year, baggage-related cases totaled 131, out of which 103 were damages.

By item, bags and carriers were the most common at 98 cases, followed by golf clubs at 12 cases.

The Consumer Agency advised consumers to carefully check the cancellation and change policies and fees of each seller before purchasing tickets, and to accurately enter the passenger's English name and passport information during the reservation process.

When checking baggage, easily damaged items such as golf clubs should be placed in dedicated hard cases, and passengers should check for damage or loss immediately upon receiving their luggage.

If damage occurs, it is recommended to immediately report it at the airline desk inside the airport and obtain a confirmation certificate.

If consumer damage occurs, consultation or dispute resolution can be requested through Consumer 24 or the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center.

(Photo: Provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.