On Friday October 2, 2009, an error occurred during the updating of British Airways fares between North America and India. In a two-hour time frame, World Traveller (economy class) fares from all cities in the US to all cities in India were displayed on reservation systems incorrectly. (At $40 to $100 round-trip, excluding government taxes, fees, and surcharges) BA immediately moved to correct these fares. However, because the system update is not immediate, these incorrect fares were available for approximately two hours in some reservations systems. As a result many bookings were made using the incorrect fares.
As the fares were so clearly below the normal fare levels, British Airways is unable to honor these bookings. We have cancelled all affected bookings made during this two-hour window, and will make a full refund for any paid for and issued ticket. (In addition, we will refund any fees associated with the rebooking of other airline segments that may have been part of the same reservation and issued on BA stock)
We ask that you please take the necessary steps to contact any of your clients booked under these fares and advise them of the error and the cancellation of their booking. The cancelled bookings have been queued back through your GDS system for your action.
You will be able to process refunds on any of these affected tickets issued on BA stock yourself, or BA can refund for you within the usual 7 day turnover time. Debit memos will not be issued on any affected non-refundable tickets that may have been issued.
We sincerely apologize for this error and the inconvenience it has caused both you and your clients.
