South Korean authorities warn of rising aviation consumer damages

The Korea Consumer Agency and the Fair Trade Commission have issued a consumer warning regarding aviation services ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Data shows that requests for damage relief related to aviation services reached 7,438 cases over the last three years, representing an average annual increase of 37%, which significantly outpaces the 14.1% annual growth in overseas travelers.

The most frequent issue involves contract cancellations, accounting for 58.4% of cases. A major concern is the imposition of double fees; consumers purchasing through travel agencies or Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) often face additional service fees on top of the airline's own cancellation charges. For example, one consumer lost 770,000 KRW in fees after canceling seven round-trip tickets to Danang just five days after purchase.

Other reported issues include contract non-performance such as flight delays or cancellations (27.2%) and baggage-related damages. Last year, 103 out of 131 baggage-related cases involved damage, primarily to suitcases and golf clubs. Authorities advise travelers to verify cancellation policies before booking, carry valuables in carry-on luggage, and immediately report any baggage damage at the airline desk to obtain official documentation.