More than 600 Red Way customers are still waiting for refunds after the airline abruptly ended operations this summer. Lincoln Airport Director of Communications Rachel Barth tells KLIN News customers have called them to say Red Way has suspended refunds until it receives $700,000 in ARPA money that is contractually owed for operating costs.
“However, part of our process is those payments be audited and we are doing our own independent audit.” That money won’t be paid out until that audit process is completed. Barth says the majority of customers they are hearing from are being told that Red Way is either not getting back to them or are being told the airport is holding up the funding.
She says that is not the case and the money is separate from the refund issue. “When the passenger books a flight, that money goes into either a surety bond or escrow account that is set up by the operator. That is a fund that the airport doesn’t have access to and doesn’t see.”
Barth tells KLIN News they echo the frustrations customers are having getting their money back. She says some customers have found success in disputing the charge with their bank or credit card company.