FLIGHT CENTRE AND TAAG - Unrealistic expectations to prove valid reasons for a No Show.

I was booked on a flight with TAAG departing from OR Tambo International Airport to Lisbon, via Luanda on the 02 August 2024.

Unfortunately I had an accident on the 01st August 2024 at around 10h45 and I was transferred by ambulance to the Netcare Alberton Hospital.

I was admitted on the same day to the Netcare Alberton Hospital and I was operated on for a deep laceration to my cranium on the 01st August 2024 in the Emergency Trauma unit at the hospital. Only after I was stabilised for the head injury , on 02 August 2024 at around 12h00 I underwent a second surgery to repair my broken collarbone.

The flight was due to depart at 16h00 which meant I had to be there from the earliest midday on the 02nd August 2024.

I am uncertain as to how the airline, and their booking agent, in this case Flight Centre, expected me to still make the flight because at that time I was still in Post Operation Recovery.

Did the airline and Flight Centre expect me to turn up at the check in in a hospital bed and demand to be embarked on the flight? Well if this is the expectation, then consumer beware you will be penalized for something beyond your control.

Would they have embarked me in my condition, requiring medical assistance and oxygen and other vital sign monitoring?

If the answer to either of the above is NO, then I expect to receive compensation in the form of a refund, less arguably what they published in the Fares Terms and Conditions for cancelling the flight at such short notice.

I have attempted to deal with Flight Centre Online Help and Support. This seems to be un exercise in futility thus far. I supp**** them with all relevant documents they requested, which documents were submitted to me from the hospital group's online portal. I forwarded a document called "Proof of Care", clearly stating the date of admission, care given, names of doctors and other information in support of the fact that I was in hospital at the time. No this is not good enough, I need a Hospital Admission Letter. They further requested a letter from the doctor certifying what treatment I received. This letter clearly states that I was admitted to said hospital over said dates and what he treated me for, as requested by Flight Centre.

I am told that the airline needs more information. They require a Admission Form from the Hospital, which i will obtain, and submit.

Clearly there are concerns building up in my head: is the strategy of the flight center support line based in the Philippines to give their clients who request refunds for valid reasons the run around, and frustrate them so much, that they abandon their refund request?

********* business practice if I have ever seen one, but I need more proof to be able to say that. So let's assume they have my best interests at heart and it is the airline who are doing this?