UK competition regulator to investigate airlines over refunds failure

LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator
said on Wednesday it would investigate whether airlines had
breached consumers' legal rights by failing to offer cash
refunds for flights they could not legally take due to lockdown
rules.

The Competition and Markets Authority said that despite the
strain some airlines were under due to the pandemic they had a
responsibility to treat consumers fairly and abide by their
legal obligations.

During England's second lockdown in November, people were
banned from travelling but some airlines did not cancel flights
or offer refunds to those who had bookings.

The CMA said it was working with the aviation regulator, the
CAA, on the issue.
(Reporting by Sarah Young, editing by Estelle Shirbon)