AirAsia, Malindo Air cancel all flights bound to and from Wuhan

TheEdge Fri, Jan 24, 2020 11:05am - 4 years View Original


KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd and Malindo Air have halted all their flights to and from Wuhan, China, in view of the coronavirus outbreak there.

While Malindo did not specify how long the suspension will be, AirAsia said the cancellation affects all its flights bound to Wuhan, China from Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok and Phuket until Jan 28.

The airlines, in making the announcement in separate statements yesterday, said they are closely monitoring the situation in Wuhan.

“This is in response to the travel ban from the officials in Wuhan on the coronavirus outbreak to ensure the safety, security and comfort of air travel to the flight crew and guests or passengers.

“Passengers who hold a valid booking for travel between Jan 23 and Feb 8 this year may contact our call centre at (+603) 7841 5388 or walk into our ticketing office for further assistance,” said Malindo.

Meanwhile, AirAsia has given an assurance it is complying with advice and regulations from global and local health authorities, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“AirAsia’s guests who are in Wuhan are advised to abide by announcements made by the government and health authorities, and to contact their respective diplomatic missions or embassies in China for assistance,” it said.

It has also arranged alternatives for those who wish to alter their travelling plans to and from Wuhan:

1.     Reroute: Reroute to any other mainland China station for flights to Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok and Phuket without additional cost, subject to seat availability. Applicable to all flights until Feb 29, 2020;

2.     Credit account: Retain the value of the fare in AirAsia BIG Loyalty account for future travel with AirAsia. The online credit account is to be redeemed for booking within 90 calendar days from the issuance date for your travel with us. The actual travel dates can be after the expiry date as long as our flight schedule is out. Applicable to all flights until Feb 29, 2020; or,

3.     Full refund: Obtain a full refund to your original payment method for the amount equivalent to your booking if flights are cancelled. Applicable to all flights until Feb 15, 2020 and return flights from Feb 16-29, 2020.

“Guests whose flights fall into the above date range can obtain a full refund in the amount equivalent to that booking in the form of original payment. Refund requests can be made with AVA at support.airasia.com ... for bookings made through travel agents including online travel agents, refund requests are to be made via the respective travel agents,” AirAsia added.

 

Malaysia Airlines takes measures to reduce risk of onboard transmission

In another statement, Malaysia Airlines, which has no direct flights to Wuhan, said it has placed control measures in its operations to reduce the risk of onboard disease transmission.

These measures “include pre-departure screening of travellers who are not well and providing medical communicable disease kits in every aircraft to cater to passengers who are ill”.

“In view of China’s coronavirus, Malaysia Airlines would like to advise its passengers to protect themselves and others by following these travel recommendations to prevent the spread of the

virus: Practise cough and sneezing etiquette; avoid individuals who are showing symptoms of fever, a runny nose and cough; and avoid identified wet markets and farms in the affected regions,” it added.

The airline added that it is guided by aviation health procedures placed by WHO and the International Civil Aviation Organization when interacting with a potentially infectious traveller.

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