SARS - Airline policies and flight reductions

SARS - Airline policies and flight reductions

Here are more of the current changes invoked by airlines in response to the problem of SARS:

• Korean Airlines - Passengers with tickets issued in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central & South America before April 7th, 2003 may make a one-time change to their tickets without change fees. Rebooked travel must begin by June 30th, 2003
• Air India - Reductions in service to Hong Kong due to SARS.
• All Nippon (ANA) - Tickets issued before April 3rd, 2003 for itineraries involving flights via/to Hong Kong or Guangdong may be canceled or refunded without fees.
• Garuda Indonesia Reduced services to Singapore, Medan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
• Qantas - Reduction in international flight schedule of approximately 20 percent until mid-July. Reduction in the workforce of Qantas by 1,000. Face masks are available for crew and all passengers within six rows of any passengers who demonstrate SARS-like symptoms in flight. A policy for ticket changes and refunds for services to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, China and Toronto has been implemented.
• Air New Zealand - For all flights to Taipei, Hong Kong and Singapore face masks are available should a passenger display symptoms of SARS. Face masks would also be made available for those in the immediate rows near a person with flu-like symptoms or to anyone else who would feel more comfortable traveling with one. Travel flexibility has been implemented for a number of Asian destinations and Toronto. Passengers who purchased tickets prior to April 2nd may change their tickets until July 31st, 2003 without change penalty.
• South African Airways - Tickets for Hong Kong purchased before April 17th for travel prior to May 31st, 2003 may be changed without the usual change fees. Travel must be completed by December 31st with the understanding that the passenger will pay any difference in airfare. A lower price on the new ticket will result in a credit for future travel for the difference in fare.

If you are uncomfortable with air travel due to the spread of SARS many airlines will allow you to make changes to your travel plans so that you can travel when you do feel more at ease. Policies may change should SARS become an even more potent factor around the world.