The commitments follow discussions between the European Commission, national consumer authorities and three OTA groups – Edreams Odigeo, Etraveli Group and Kiwi.com.

Under EU passenger rights, airlines are required to refund tickets within seven days of the passenger opting for reimbursement following a cancellation. However, the EU has sought to clarify and strengthen passengers’ rights to a refund where air tickets are bought through an intermediary, such as an OTA.

The commission said the agreement should ensure customers receive their refunds within 14 days – up to seven days for the airline to issue a refund to the OTA, and then a further seven days for the OTA to issue the refund to the consumer.

"As a result of this dialogue, the three major European airline intermediaries provide clarity for such cases," said the commission. "Consumers will receive their refund within 14 days maximum. This step also helps create a fair and level playing field within the travel airline industry."

The commission said the action complemented talks with 16 major European airlines during the pandemic, all of whom committed to respecting the seven-day time limit for reimbursements.

"The 2021 dialogue with the airlines had cast a spotlight on additional delays experienced by consumers when cancelled tickets had been purchased through an intermediary," it said.

Those making undertakings include eDreams Odigeo (eDreams, Opodo, Go Voyages, Travellink and Liligo); Etraveli Group (Mytrip, GotoGate, Flybillet, Flightnetwork, Supersavetravel, seat24 and Travelstart); and Kiwi.com.

They have also agreed to clear any refund backlogs by Friday (30 June).