Airline Industry Adjusts Flight Ticket Refund Policies Amid Extension of Social Distancing in Seoul Metropolitan Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The aviation industry has adjusted the refund fee waiver period in line with the extension of social distancing measures due to the fourth wave of COVID-19. Most airlines allow refunds without cancellation fees for tickets booked before the extension date of social distancing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

However, it is difficult to receive a refund fee waiver for tickets purchased after the announcement of the social distancing extension. The industry urged caution as the detailed criteria for fee waivers vary by airline depending on the ticket issuance date, boarding date, and applicable routes.

According to the aviation industry on the 25th, Korean Air will waive 100% of change and refund fees once within the validity period for customers who purchased tickets by July 22 and are boarding between July 26 and August 8, following the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' extension of level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area (Seoul and Gyeonggi) for two weeks until August 8. This guideline applies to all domestic routes departing from Gimpo and Incheon airports based on the social distancing level in Seoul and Gyeonggi.

Asiana Airlines exempts domestic refund fees for customers who purchased tickets by July 23, the extension date of social distancing in the metropolitan area, and are boarding between July 12 and August 8. However, fees are charged for automatic refunds online, so processing must be done through the reservation center.

On the 24th, amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 variants, passengers heading to China are lining up for boarding procedures at Terminal 1 departure hall of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Jin Air waives fees in two periods based on boarding and issuance dates. The company stated that customers who purchased tickets by July 9 and are boarding between July 12 and July 25, as well as those who purchased tickets by July 23 due to the social distancing extension and are boarding between July 26 and August 8, will receive one free change and refund fee waiver.

Jeju Air waives refund fees if the destination is under social distancing level 3 or higher. However, since specific departure and issuance dates vary by route, customers are advised to contact the customer center before canceling.

T’way Air also waives all change and cancellation fees if the departure or destination is under social distancing levels 3 or 4.

Air Seoul waives cancellation fees only on certain routes such as Gimpo and Jeju. For the Gimpo-Jeju and Busan-Jeju routes, cancellation fees are waived for customers who purchased tickets before July 16 and are boarding between July 19 and August 1. For routes to Gimpo, including Jeju-Gimpo and Busan-Gimpo, fees are waived under the same criteria for customers who purchased tickets before July 9 and are boarding between July 12 and August 8.

An aviation industry official advised, "Since cancellation fee criteria differ by airline and especially for tickets purchased through travel agencies, where fee waiver policies vary according to social distancing, it is necessary to inquire with the point of purchase before canceling."