Airlines Waive Refund Fees Amid Spread of 'Wuhan Pneumonia'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the spread of "Wuhan pneumonia" leads to a series of cancellations of trips to China, domestic airlines have decided to waive refund fees for passengers who booked flights on China routes.

According to the airline industry on the 27th, Korean Air decided on the 24th to waive refund fees for all China route tickets issued before that date. This applies to flights departing until the 29th of next month. Previously, Korean Air waived refund penalties for the Incheon-Wuhan route and exempted one reissue fee for itinerary changes. As concerns among passengers grew due to the spread of "Wuhan pneumonia," the airline expanded the waiver coverage and applicable period.

Asiana Airlines also decided on the 24th to waive fees for refunds or itinerary changes for journeys including Korea-China routes issued before the 24th, for flights departing between the 24th and March 31st. This applies to customers with confirmed multi-segment tickets including Korea-China departure or arrival, as well as customers with confirmed tickets on other routes who hold tickets for China-Korea routes operated by other airlines.

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) also joined in waiving refund fees. Jeju Air decided to waive cancellation fees for China routes excluding Hong Kong and Macau for flights departing this month and next month. Air Busan also decided not to charge refund or itinerary change fees for flights departing until March 28th on routes between Korea and China, such as Busan-Qingdao and Incheon-Ningbo.

Jin Air is waiving refund fees for flights operating until February 29th on mainland China routes such as Jeju-Shanghai. T'way Air also decided not to charge cancellation fees for all China routes for flights departing by the end of this month. Eastar Jet is waiving refund fees for China routes excluding Hong Kong and Macau, for flights departing until February 29th, with the possibility of extending the period depending on the situation.