SYDNEY, Australia – Qantas, the Australian airline, has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $79 million to settle a legal dispute after selling tickets for canceled flights, a move that sparked controversy and drew public outcry.

The airline came under fire for operating “ghost flights,” which are flights that were scheduled, but ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the cancellations, Qantas continued to sell tickets for these non-existent flights, leading to a class-action lawsuit against the airline.

As a result of the lawsuit, Qantas has now agreed to pay a penalty of $79 million, acknowledging its wrongdoing in selling tickets for flights that would never take off. The settlement aims to compensate affected passengers who had purchased tickets for the canceled flights.

The incident has tarnished Qantas’ reputation, with critics accusing the airline of deceptive practices and profiting off unsuspecting customers. The airline has since faced backlash from consumer rights groups and regulatory authorities for its handling of the situation.

In response to the controversy, Qantas has pledged to review its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The airline has expressed remorse for the inconvenience caused to passengers and is working to rebuild trust with its customer base.

The $79 million settlement serves as a lesson for airlines worldwide, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the industry. As the aviation sector continues to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, airlines are under increased scrutiny to uphold ethical standards and prioritize the welfare of their passengers.

Moving forward, Qantas is committed to restoring its reputation and regaining the trust of the public through improved practices and greater transparency in its operations. The airline’s handling of the “ghost flights” controversy serves as a cautionary tale for the industry, emphasizing the repercussions of overlooking consumer rights and ethical conduct.