AIRLINES ASSIST PASSENGERS WITH TICKET REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES

Amid the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in many localities, local airlines have introduced some policies to help passengers avail of refunds and exchange airfares.

According to the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, passengers who have booked flights on routes affected by COVID-19 can refund tickets or get a travel voucher with a 10 per cent discount of the price of the ticket if they use the voucher to book tickets later.

This policy applies to domestic flights departing from January 29, for both voluntary refunds due to passengers’ requests and flight delays, cancellations or early departures due to the COVID-19 pandemic or requests by authorities.
Passengers will enjoy a refund fee exemption when exchanging from tickets to vouchers, which can be also used for Vietnam Airlines’ other products and services such as airline tickets, luggage, seat selection and travel upgrades.
The travel vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Passengers who do not choose to exchange tickets to vouchers can request a refund with fee and condition exemption, according to Vietnam Airlines.

Meanwhile, passengers of Bamboo Airways will not be charged additional fees when they exchange tickets if the departure time of their new flights is 72 hours sooner from that of the original flight.

They can also avail of free refunds if their flights are cancelled due to the pandemic.

Bamboo Airways said its policy applies to flights delayed or cancelled due to the impact of COVID-19 earlier this year, with flights starting from January 29.

Budget carrier Vietjet has also implemented a plan to support customers with flights to and from Vân Đồn Airport in Quảng Ninh Province from January 29 to February 13.

Customers with flights to and from Vân Đồn during this period can change their flight time and itinerary free of charge for flights between HCM City-Hà Nội, HCM City-Hải Phòng, and HCM City-Thanh Hóa and HCM City-Vinh with a new departure time 72 hours before or after the original departure time.

If the new itinerary or departure time exceeds 72 hours before or after the original departure time, customers can change the itinerary free of charge, only the fare difference applies. They can also choose to reserve their tickets for 365 days from the original departure date, Vietjet said.

For other routes, Vietjet Air has not released an announcement about policies applicable to the new outbreak of COVID-19.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam has urged airlines to strictly observe the Prime Minister’s dispatch on COVID-19 prevention and control as well as measures to repel the spread of the pandemic.

Airport staff must wear face masks and wash their hands regularly. They are also asked to check passengers’ body temperature and disinfect devices and high-risk public areas at airports. Meanwhile, passengers are required to closely follow health regulations before boarding the plane and during the flights, and keep their masks on the whole trip.

Source: VNS