Consumer group vents its rage

Angry Consumers' Foundation (消基會) officials yesterday demanded the government require all air carriers who service customers in Taiwan to make public all flight information, including the plane's age and the pilot's experience.

"All carriers should disclose their plane's age, condition and pilot experience so consumers can choose which carrier or flight they want to take," said Yu Ming-kuo (游明國), chairman of the Consumers' Foundation.

He reasoned that the public has a right to such information.

Yu made the remarks at a public hearing held by the commission yesterday. The hearing focused on how to better protect consumer rights with regards to flight safety.

In response, a government official said there could be some difficulty in releasing some types of information.

"With plane and pilot schedules changing all the time, it would be hard to provide the public with accurate flight information when they make their reservations," said Amy Ling (凌鳳儀), a director at Civil Aeronautics Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

But Yu suggested the Internet could serve as a real time outlet that air carriers could use to publicize the information.

Airlines should also be obligated to inform passengers of last minute flight changes when they check in at the airport, Yu said.

"Consumers should have the right and the opportunity to refund tickets or transfer to another flight," he said.

The commission also urged the government to punish black-listed carriers.

Yu applauded the government in its decision to deprive China Airlines' of any new flights between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"But this is not enough. The government should cut some of China Airlines' existing routes and give them to better performing carriers," said Yen Jin-ru (顏進儒), a member of the commission's transportation committee.

According to current aviation regulations, the government doesn't have the authority to take away designated carrier routes.

"We think the government should be more active in regulating airlines, especially when most consumers are disappointed with their current track record," Yen said.

Compensation assistance

The commission also said that they are devoted to helping the families of the victims who were killed in Saturday's crash.

"All families can turn to us, and we plan to file a class-action lawsuit against China Airlines," said Joseph Lin (林世華), honorary chairman of the commission.

Based on our experience in helping families following the China Airlines crash in 1998, we realized it's more effective to approach the company collectively, Lin said.

The commission's attorneys can provide free consulting services regarding compensation, inheritance and tax matters.

"I believe compensation this time around should be double what China Airlines paid in 1998 ? or nearly NT$20 million [per passenger]," Lin said.

China Airlines paid NT$9.9 million per passenger in 1998 after its Airbus A300-600 crashed near CKS International Airport, killing 182 passengers.