Originally Posted by
k374
exactly... if I order something from an online shopping portal and they have to order it in turn from a supplier, the supplier does not deliver then the online shopping portal can't keep my money, LOL! If the contract isn't fulfilled down the line then it implies the contract with the consumer isn't fulfilled as well. If the airline refunds the fare the the refund is due to the passenger.
Different business model with different Terms and Conditions. The shopping portal prices this into it's overheads and charges a little bit extra to every customer. The TA doesn't and charges a lot to a few customers. It's big news now because those few customers have just turned into a landslide and realised saving a few pounds/dollars/euros on a ticket to be subject to an intermediary's terms maybe wasn't such a good idea, and the noise is being heard.