Travel

Customers who bought tickets for the grounded Velvet Sky airline from Computicket Travel will be refunded over the Easter weekend, the company said on Thursday.

Despite having paid over all money from ticket purchases to Velvet Sky, Computicket Travel. has decided to refund these customers from their own pockets, Computicket Travel, which is owned by the Shoprite Group, said in a statement.

The company was under no legal obligation to refund the tickets, but would reimburse the R2.2 million worth of Velvet Sky tickets at any Computicket outlet in Checkers or Shoprite stores.

Shoprite Group CEO Whitey Basson said: It is important that we assist our customers in every way possible so that they don't lose their hard-earned money as a result of this unforeseen event relating to a service provider.

The troubled low-cost airline is facing a liquidation application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, which it is challenging.

The action was initiated by fuel supplier BP Southern Africa which alleged that Velvet Sky owed it R29m.

BPSA suspended its fuel supply to the airline in January to mitigate against any further financial risk exposure. - Sapa