The spread of the new coronavirus has had a major impact on the Aviation Industry.
Major airlines have been subject to suspensions and reduced flights,it’s so severe that they face the crisis of management difficulties due to route changes and cuts.
People who are planning to travel or study abroad are worried about whether the Airlines would refund for their already purchased tickets or not.
In conclusion, The change of tickets,Refunds or the cancellation fees varies depending on the airline.
Therefore,It is important to check the airlines cancellation policy in advance as the airlines are under great pressure.
This article describes the cancellation fees for the international airline tickets due to the new coronavirus.
※This is based on information dated February 21, 2020.
The New Coronavirus impact on the Airlines
With the spread of the new coronavirus, major airlines such as ANA and JAL are being forced to take special measures.
If your flight is suspended,it is up to each airline to determine whether a ticket cancellation fee will be refunded or not.
There are no cancellation fees even immediately before departure,so some airlines offers special refunds.
If you want to buy tickets for overseas travel,please first check with the agency where you purchased the ticket to find out if cancellations and changes can be made.
The response of each airline due to corona virus
It is common to book international tickets several months in advance.
Basically, you can cancel a flight even if you purchased an international ticket from any airline.
However, the cancellation fee varies depending on the timing of purchasing of the ticket which depends on the cancellation policy of the travel agency.
If you booked a ticket for China most airlines taken special measures and precautions with the outbreak of new type pneumonia.
In this case,the refund will be made the day before departure without a cancellation fee or penalty.
If you have already purchased a ticket to travel or study abroad,please check the airline’s cancellation policy.
The airline’s website offers refund / change terms for the tickets you booked.
If you purchased a ticket at a travel agency please check your travel agency’s cancellation policy.
If you want to buy tickets for overseas travel,please first check with the agency where you originally purchased the ticket.
Japanese airlines return cancellation fees
Let’s take a look at the cancellation policy posted on the official website of a Japanese Airline.
ANA Refund / Change of ticket
・ Issuance date Until the ticket is issued on February 19, 2020
・ Boarding date Until boarding on April 20, 2020
・ Routes Routes to / from China Airport (including Hong Kong and Macau)
International tickets issued by ANA that meet all of the above conditions can be refunded or changed without a fee or penalty.
Official site here
JAL Refund / Change of ticket
・ Beijing Line, Shanghai Line, Guangzhou, Dalian Line Tianjin Line
・ Hong Kong route
・ Seoul Line, Busan Line
・ Taipei Line
If you have purchased the above ticket,you can refund or change it without any penalty.
If you purchased a JAL ticket via a travel agency, you need to contact the travel agency.
Official site here
LCC Refund / Change of ticket
What about domestic LCCs (cheap discounted airlines) that offer cheap airline tickets?
For most LCCs,Refunds and Changes without cancellation fees are currently only available for China.
It is better not to buy a fare with a high cancellation fee until the new coronavirus has settled down.
If you are worried about new pneumonia but want to buy cheap tickets, there is a way to buy travel insurance that refunds a cancellation fee.
Peach Aviation Refund / Change of ticket
Canceled flights can be refunded or transferred to another Peach flight.
Official site here
Jet Star Japan Refund / Change of ticket
Refunds / Changes are possible with no extra charges.
Official site here
Spring Airlines Japan Refund / Change of ticket
Tickets reserved for eligible flights will be refunded free of charge or you can select only one of the transfer.
Official site here
Airasia Japan Refund / Change of ticket
Reservations can be changed without a fee only for the Japan-Bangkok route.
Official site here
Airlines return cancellation fees
Let’s take a look at the cancellation policies of foreign airlines.
Korean Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Tickets to / from China, including Hong Kong and Taipei are exempt from refund penalties.
Official site here
Emirates Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Flights to / from Mainland China and Hong Kong can be refunded or rerouted to / from Beijing (PEK) or Hong Kong (HKG).
Official site here
Singapore Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
One week or more before the departure of the scheduled flight cancellations / refund fees may apply.
Official site here
United Airlines Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Cancellation within 24 hours after purchase is free of charge and a full refund is available.
Official site here
Scandinavian Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Cancellations made within 24 hours of booking with a money back guarantee.
Official site here
Turkish Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Ticket cancellations and refunds depend on the fare rules that applies to your ticket.
Official site here
Qatar Airways Refund / Change of ticket
Refund fees may be deducted depending on the ticket.
Official site here
Cathay Pacific Refund / Change of ticket
The cancellation fee will be waived if the booking meets the requirements.
Official site here
Lufthansa Refund / Change of ticket
Ticket cancellation / refund depends on how you purchased the ticket.
Official site here
Austrian Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Reservations within 24 hours will be canceled / refunded.
Official site here
Air New Zealand Refund / Change of ticket
Full refunds are available for New Zealand international flights, except for limited time special fares.
Official site here
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Within 24 hours after booking its is possible to apply for a refund.
Official site here
Qantas Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Cancellation of reservations you may be charged a handling fee.
Official site here
Swiss International Airlines Refund / Change of ticket
Online booking changes can be canceled up to 3 hours before the departure.
Official site here
Important point when going abroad during the coronavirus period
As of February 21, 2020,The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised the “Infectious Disease Risk Information” throughout China to Level 2 and warned that “stop unnecessary urgent travel.”
Even if you can travel and enter to the countries, there are cases where tourist facilities are closed or events are canceled.
If you are traveling during the coronavirus season, please be sure to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ overseas safety website for the latest information.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/
If you register for the “Tabi Cash” mail delivery service for overseas travelers operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,you will receive the latest safety information of your travel destination via email.
Official announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”Infectious disease danger information” is also convenient because it will be sent to you immediately.
Even in the event of an emergency such as a terrorist attack or an incident, accurate information is available in Japanese.
We recommend that you register if you are planning to study abroad or stay abroad for a long time.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ overseas security information distribution service “Tabi Reji” (free registration)
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/
How safe is it overseas? Is domestic travel safer during coronavirus?
Regarding coronaviruses, measures against infectious diseases are important regardless of whether they are in Japan or overseas.
Make sure you wear a mask and wash your hands thoroughly and try to avoid infections.
Summary
It’s difficult to predict which countries and regions the new pneumonia will spread and how long will it continue.
Always check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest information.
