Travel agencies and executives said that airlines operate in a rapidly changing global environment, and strive to adhere to the decisions and regulatory requirements issued by governments, in order to address the spread of the Corona virus, noting that flights are available for reservation on companies ’websites, but travel It depends on the restrictions in the first place.
They told «Emirates Today»: «Customers can make reservations for the limited trips currently offered by companies, in addition to those available for reservation after the expiry of the period of the provisional suspension decisions, but the availability of flights on the websites does not necessarily mean that the airline will transfer Traveler, if a regulatory authority or an authority imposes new restrictions, or has resorted to extending previously imposed restrictions.
Limited trips
In detail, Mohamed Jassim Al-Rayes, the executive vice president of Al-Rais Travel Company, said, “Dealers can make reservations for the limited trips that companies are currently offering, in addition to those available for reservation after the expiry of the period of the temporary suspension decisions for the coming period.” Conditions are subject to new travel restrictions. ”
"The flights are available on the websites of the airlines, but travelers are always advised to check before traveling," Al-Rayyis added, noting that "they can re-book and cancel if any new restrictions are imposed on those destinations they go to."
He stressed that «airlines have different policies regarding options for re-booking or cancellation, and therefore it is important for customers to verify them before making the reservation».
General Instructions
"There are several issues that need to be verified, including a travel ban or general guidelines against unnecessary travel, as well as quarantine requirements at the point of arrival, as well as government decisions to prevent their citizens from traveling," Al-Rayyes said.
He stressed the importance of continuous communication with airlines and the requirements issued by countries regarding travel procedures, during this stage, to take appropriate decisions to re-book or cancel it, pointing out that reservations are subject to conditions in all cases.
Conditions and restrictions
For his part, the general manager of Belhasa Tourism Company, Narrows Sarkis, said that "the availability of flights on the airlines' websites does not necessarily mean that the company will be responsible for transporting the passenger to his destination", indicating that "customers can make current reservations or for the next period ( Early), but that is subject to the conditions and travel restrictions if they are extended.
“Some countries, for example, prevent their citizens from traveling during a specific period and therefore cannot make reservations and anticipate travel, given the presence of restrictions that are not the responsibility of the airline, while other countries may continue to close their air borders to flights,” Sarkis said. Or it may compel arrivals of mandatory health reservations, including airport checks, and other requirements. ”
He added, "The message that we would like to send to customers who wish to travel now is that the current procedures are exceptional, and they may change and be constantly modified based on developments in the spread or containment of the Corona virus."
Variable conditions
In turn, the Director General of Al-Faisal Travel and Tourism Agency, Yassin Diab, said, "The airlines are currently operating under conditions that change very quickly, and are subject to the decisions issued by governments from the point of departure, or the point of arrival, including transit trips," noting that " Reservations are available, but travel depends on several conditions outside the control of air carriers.
Diab stated that "the making of reservations is now governed by several conditions, including refund or re-reservation policies, in line with the requirements of travel in various international airports," stressing the importance of checking the conditions for purchasing tickets on the airlines' websites during this period.
Reservation
Narasa Sarkis, general manager of Belhasa Tourism, explained that “for some airlines, travelers who have pre-booked flights for travel, until June, can re-book their flights without the re-reservation fee, or pay any difference in the price of the ticket.” Until «travelers can make new reservations for the next period, while if their travel plans are affected, they can cancel the trip, through the option to retrieve the value of the ticket, or request a refund for a voucher valid for 12 months from the date of issuance».
- Travel agencies have confirmed that the current procedures are exceptional and are constantly being adjusted based on Corona's developments.