Zika virus: Major airlines refunding tickets to South America

Some airlines are offering refunds to passengers due to travel to areas affected by the virus

(Reuters)

Major airlines are refunding tickets to travellers who have booked flights to countries affected by the Zika virus.

The mosquito-born virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women because of its connection to a neurological disorder, which might result in their babies being born with an abnormally small head.

Experts say the Zika virus, which has already spread to 24 countries, has the potential to become an "explosive pandemic". There are fears it may have already crossed to the common mosquito – thereby increasing its chances of spreading around the world.

Last week, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged pregnant women and women trying to conceive to postpone visits to Puerto Rico, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.

On Friday it added Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Guyana, Cape Verde and Samoa to the list.

Some airlines are offering refunds in light of this. They include:

British Airways

British Airways said pregnant customers due to travel up to and including February 29 who no longer wish to travel can either change their booking free of charge, delay their journey or amend to an alternative destination.

The policy applies to passengers flying to Brazil, Mexico, Barbados and the Dominican Republic.

The company told the Independent that they will continue to review the situation

American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta

All three major US airlines are allowing passengers to ask for a refund or delay their holiday to areas affected by the virus

American Airlines has expanded its refunds for pregnant customers visiting areas impacted by the Zika virus to include Puerto Rico, Martinique and nine countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The world largest airline said it was giving refund to pregnant travellers to five cities in Central America on Tuesday.

United, the second-largest US airline by capacity, said it will allow customers who hold tickets to regions impacted by the Zika virus to postpone their trip or receive a full refund.

“We are offering customers who are traveling to the affected regions the opportunity to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund,” United spokesman Charles Hobart said in a statement.

Customers with current reservations who are concerned about travelling to destinations affected by Zika Viral Illness should call the company or their local reservations office and speak with a Delta Representative, according to the airline’s statement.

“Customers may qualify for a change to alternate destinations, travel dates or a refund. Customers may make fee-waived changes to future reservations/tickets. However, changes need to be made by February 29, 2016,” Delta said.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa took the decision to issues a goodwill policiy valid as of Thursday January 28.

Europe’s largest airline has issued the following statement to the Independent:

"Medically certified pregnant women and their traveling companions booked on international flights to Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and other affected Latin American and Caribbean countries holding a ticket for flights with a flight number of the Lufthansa Group airlines mentioned above (including code share) are permitted one rebooking free of charge. This policy applies to all flights from/to Latin/Central American and Caribbean countries from 28 January 2016 until 31 March 2016, tickets must be issued on/before 28 January 2016," the German airline said.

“There are no changes in our flight schedules related to this issue. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we stay in contact with the relevant authorities,” Boris Ogursky, a spokesman for Lufthansa Group told the Independent.

Air France

The Zika virus has had no impact on the company’s flight operations or to services to the destinations concerned, Air France said.

“Air France does not offer special conditions for customers who would like to cancel or postpone their booking following the Zika threat,” the company told the Independent.

Air France continues to closely monitor the situation and is in direct contact with the French and international health authorities.