Over the past two weeks, the global travel industry has seen a significant decline in bookings due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 and consumer uncertainty surrounding overseas travel. Travel Monitor has wrapped up the latest news across the airlines and what passengers need to know.
Qantas provides customers more flexibility due to corona-virus
Qantas and Jetstar have introduced greater flexibility for customers wishing to change their travel plans, following increased travel restrictions being implemented by various governments around the world due to the evolving Coronavirus situation.
Qantas and Jetstar customers will be given the option to cancel flights and receive travel credit. This offer is available until 31 March 2020 for travel up to 31 May 2020.
These changes apply to all domestic and international flights for Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar (including Jetstar domestic services in New Zealand and Jetstar Asia’s flights between Darwin and Singapore).
Meanwhile the airlines are currently working through the most urgent travel dates, and strongly advise that only those customers with travel within the next 72 hours contact their airline. If you are not travelling in this time frame please consider making contact at another time.
For the latest travel updates, please click here.
Virgin Australia Group update on COVID-19 response
The Virgin Australia Group has announced reductions in capacity and cost measures to address the impact of COVID-19 and has also reassured guests of the onboard health and safety measures to enhance their protection.
The airline says all aircraft are cleaned to the highest standards daily, crew maintain the highest hygiene standards on board, and all flights are equipped with hand sanitiser and face masks.
There is also a commercial policy available for guests wishing to change their travel due to COVID-19. Virgin Australia guests with new or existing international bookings through to 30 June 2020 have the option to change their flight to a later date and/or to a different destination, without incurring any change fees. Guests with any changes to their bookings will be contacted directly with alternative travel arrangements including refunds for any routes that the Group is no longer servicing.
LATAM reduces international flights by approximately 30%
LATAM Airlines Group and its subsidiaries have announced they will reduce international flights by approximately 30% due to lower demand and government travel restrictions in reaction to the spread of COVID-19, Coronavirus. For the time being, the measure will apply principally to flights from South America to Europe and the US between 1 April and 30 May, 2020.
LATAM says it will continue to uphold its strict safety and hygiene protocols to protect the well-being of its passengers, crew and ground personnel. The group has also implemented special cleaning procedures for its aircraft, which have state-of-the-art circulation systems with HEPA filters that renew the air inside the cabin every three minutes.
Other measures include the suspension of new investments, expenses and hiring as well as incentives for unpaid leave and to bring forward vacations.
Singapore Airlines services to Europe
The Singapore authorities have taken the following steps to limit the risk of community spread of Covid-19 in the country:
- From 23:59 hours on 15 March 2020, all new visitors who have travelled to France, Germany, Italy and Spain within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore
- Returning citizens, residents and long-term visit pass holders (including work passes and permits, student pass, dependent’s pass) who have travelled to France, Germany, Italy and Spain within the last 14 days will be allowed entry into Singapore. However, they will be issued with a 14-day Stay-At-Home Notice (SHN).
- Long-term passholders will also require a letter from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM), applied for by their employer, before being allowed entry. Employers can apply via https://bit.ly/2vi60Of for the MoM letter.
Adjustments to Singapore Airlines flights to Europe include:
MILAN
- SQ356/355 has been suspended from 8 March to 31 May 2020.
- SQ378/377 has been suspended from 7 March to 30 May 2020.
ROME
- SQ366/365 will be suspended from 14 March to 31 May 2020.
BARCELONA
- SQ388/387 will be suspended from 16 March to 31 May 2020.
PARIS
- SQ336/335 will be suspended from 16 March to 31 May 2020.
- SQ334/333 will be suspended from 16 March to 28 March.
DUSSELDORF
- SQ338/337 will be suspended from 17 March to 30 May 2020.
MUNICH
- SQ328/327 will be suspended from 17 March to 31 May 2020.
FRANKFURT
- SQ326/325 will be suspended from 16 March to 31 May 2020.
- SQ26/25 will be suspended from 17 March to 31 May 2020.
OTHER FLIGHTS TO EUROPE
There are currently no changes to other SIA flights to Europe, apart from those that have been previously announced as part of the ongoing adjustments to the network that can be found here: https://bit.ly/2wX3Gwt
Customers will be notified if their flights have been cancelled. Customers should check the SIA website for the latest information on their flights.
Due to the high volume of requests, the airline advises it may take longer than usual for its customer service agents to respond to you.
Travel agents who require assistance are encouraged to contact the Singapore Airlines sales office directly.
Emirates implements measures due to COVID19
Emirates has implemented thermal screening measures for all passengers travelling on US flights departing from Dubai International Airport. If a passenger is found to have a higher than normal temperature, they will undergo further testing. This is in addition to the thermal screenings done for all passengers on arrival as they pass through customs. Emirates has also suspended its flights between Dubai and Italy, with the final flight operating on 15 March 2020. The airline is working with the relevant authorities to monitor the developments closely as the COVID-19 situation evolves. Passengers are advised to observe the general recommended time of arrival at the airport, which is 3 hours ahead of departure, to ensure seamless check-in procedures and to complete their immigration formalities.
