Which? responds to BA and Ryanair flight cancellations

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said:

“While the decision to cancel flights in the face of growing concerns around the spread of coronavirus may be understandable, passengers due to travel will want to know what this means for their travel plans, especially in the run up to the Easter holidays.

“BA and Ryanair must ensure they are keeping passengers informed and quickly rerouting them to their destinations on the next available flight, with other carriers if necessary. Given the circumstances, airlines should also consider offering flexibility to customers who don’t want to travel, such as allowing refunds and waiving flight change fees for both existing and future bookings.”

-ENDS-

Advice for travellers:

• For advice on flight cancellations, visit: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/i-had-a-flight-cancellation-can-i-claim-compensation
• If you’re worried about travelling to an area affected by coronavirus and want to cancel your plans, with the exception of travel to/via China or to the affected regions in Italy, you won’t be entitled to a refund, or be able to claim on your travel insurance in most circumstances.
• Instead, you will have to rely on your travel operator’s or airline’s goodwill if you want to arrange an alternative holiday or rebook a flight at a later date. Some travel agents and airlines are offering worried travellers the chance to change plans where possible.
• If you have an internal flight across Asia or Italy, check if your flight is still going ahead – some carriers are running reduced services.
• If your travel company can’t help, contact your insurance provider directly to find out if they will cover you as some insurance companies will review scenarios on a case-by-case basis
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be able to cancel and claim on your travel insurance based on advice from your doctor. Contact your insurer to discuss this.

Statement