Airlines offer refunds on China and Hong Kong flights as coronavirus spreads

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Airlines offer refunds on China and Hong Kong flights as coronavirus spreads | Secret Flying

Airlines offer flight refunds to China as death toll rises.

 

British Airways is allowing passengers bound for Hong Kong and China the option of postponing or refunding their flights as the coronavirus death toll increases.

 

On BA’s help section on its website, the airline says: “We fully understand that you may want to change your travel plans as a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak in China, and so whilst we await further advice from the Government and health organisations, we are offering any customers due to fly to or from China including Hong Kong until February 23 the option to refund or rebook.”

 

American Airlines issued flight waivers that allow a free change on travel to, through and from Beijing and Shanghai. Delta has done the same.

 

In addition to Beijing and Shanghai, United Airlines also flies to Chengdu, and are offering waivers for bookings to all three cities.

 

Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are also reportedly offering ticket refunds.

 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific is offering refunds for tickets to or from mainland China which were bought before 25 January 2020 and are for travel up to 28 February 2020.

 

There are 5,000 confirmed cases of the respiratory virus and over 100 deaths in China.

 

On Monday, a 50-year-old Beijing man died from the virus – the first fatality in the Chinese capital.

 

Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus originated, is on lockdown, with restrictions on travel and residents urged to stay home.

 

Videos posted on social media show people shouting “Wuhan jiayou” out of their windows, translated to “Stay strong Wuhan,” in a bid to boost morale.

 

 

Residents can be heard cheering in the background with some singing the national anthem.