Passengers brought home in corona days refuse to pay: more than 750,000 francs remain with taxpayers

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Who doesn’t remember? On March 16, 2020, the Federal Council declared a “state of emergency” and initiated emergency measures against Corona. The Federal Council urged, among other things, all Swiss citizens abroad and those entitled to reside in Switzerland, to immediately return to the country. Because during the corona pandemic, countries around the world closed their borders and airlines stopped their operations.

Many arrived home on time. Some failed. Some even went on vacation despite warnings. Those who were stranded had to be brought home on so-called repatriation flights. At his own expense, which angered many.

CHF 750,000 unpaid

As research has shown, some repatriates to date refuse to pay for the flight home. Federal State Department (FDFA) spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger confirmed to Blick that large sums of money were still unpaid nearly three years after his last return flight. “The total amount of the bonds is about 7.5 million francs,” says Eltschinger. 90 percent of this amount was repaid to EKA.

About 750,000 francs are still unpaid. This means that around 700 people do not pay for repatriation. Taxpayers have to pay if the money cannot be collected.

It seems that the government is in no hurry. “The federal government’s central collections office is tasked with processing outstanding claims,” ​​says Eltschinger. No legal action was taken to collect the money.

Federal government made advance payments

Swiss and Edelweiss Air operated 35 return flights on behalf of the FDFA between April and July 2020, according to Swiss spokesperson Meike Fuhlrott. They brought about 7,400 passengers to Switzerland. Helvetic Airlines operated three return flights and brought about 310 passengers home.

These return flights were not free for passengers. Passengers repatriated by the FDFA had to pay a cost contribution of CHF 400 for short-haul flights (up to 1,500 kilometers), CHF 600 for medium-haul flights (1,500-3,500 km), and CHF 1,100 (3,500 CHF) for long-haul flights. -12,000 km) and more than 12’000 kilometers for ultra-long-distance roads 1700 francs.

The airlines were unharmed. The federal government pre-financed repatriation flights. Costs were initially estimated at around ten million francs, of which 80 percent was expected to be covered by passenger contributions, while the FDFA covered the remaining 20 percent.

Source :Blick