Airlines not charging fees for flights booked during lockdown period

THE two airlines operating in the country say their passengers will not be charged extra if they have purchased tickets to travel during the 14-day travel ban imposed by the Government.
PNG Air chief executive Paul Abbot said passengers who had purchased tickets to travel during the 14-day travel ban would be allowed a refund.
Abbot made the statement yesterday when The National enquired following concerns from the public.
“Any passengers who had tickets over the 14-day suspension period will be entitled to a refund or they can change the date of travel and there will be no change fee charged,” he said.
Air Niugini also recommended passengers defer their bookings.
No penalty fees to be charged.
“The airline’s recommendation is for those passengers to defer their bookings or rebook to a later date,” the airline said in response to queries from this paper yesterday.
The airline said customers can defer bookings or rebook at any of their sales offices without penalty. These decisions by the airlines were made in line with the Government’s ban on travel for a period of 14 days which began yesterday.
Meanwhile, Air Niugini, in a previous statement said it was waiving changing fees for new international bookings and tickets issued before March 31 and for travel until June due to the coronavirus (Covid-19).
“This means there will be no fees imposed for those who intend to cancel or change their travel dates because of Covid-19, and this also applies to promotional fares,” the airline said.
“It shall be restricted to one change per passenger and customers will need to pay the fare difference if the same fare is not available.
“This also applies to PNG domestic travel for passengers connecting to or from an Air Niugini international service on the same ticket.”