Some of Barbados’ main airline partners have issued travel advisories, putting customers on notice of possible travel restrictions, as ramped up measures are put in place in light of the COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Regional carrier LIAT today announced that it would “meet or exceed guidelines from authorities” in an effort to ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
The Antigua and Barbuda-based airline today issued a travel advisory after the WHO upgraded the COVID-19 virus to a global pandemic.
However, the island-hopping carrier’s advisory also came on the heels of at least one reported case of the deadly virus in both St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana, two of the destinations that the airline currently services.
There have been no reported travel restrictions by regional governments on intra-regional travel at this time.
“LIAT continues to listen to our customers and work with the health and government authorities across all destinations,” the airline said in its statement on Thursday.
Pointing to some “actions” that it had taken, LIAT said: “We are implementing travel restrictions based on advisories from governments across the region. We will continue to monitor and update this information.”
The airline company also announced that it would “waive change/cancellation fees on bookings for affected customers and would work with passengers to adjust their travel plans”.
LIAT said it had also activated “a special project team to monitor the situation in real time”.
Adding that it would ensure aircrafts are kept clean in compliance with global standards, LIAT also said it was promoting hand washing and healthy hygiene among its employees and passengers.
“We have also worked to ensure that alcohol-based sanitizating wipes are available for passenger use,” it said, adding that it would be taking measures that follow the recommendations of regional and global health authorities.
“We will share any changes made to travel restrictions, our schedule and cancellation policies in a timely manner,” it added.
LIAT’s advisory comes amidst major disruption to some international flights from destinations that have high numbers of infected people.
Airlines have so far announced cancellation of service to some destinations, while countries have implemented a ban on travel from some nations most affected by the COVID-19.
While airlines are still coming to Barbados from the US, UK, Canada and Germany, where a number of cases have been recorded, officials have been giving the assurance that adequate protocols were in place to limit the likelihood of the virus reaching Barbados’ shores.
Without naming the airline, Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently disclosed that one of the island’s “prime” airline partners had reported a contraction in business and was already asking for consideration with respect to some of the cost that they face.
US-based low cost carrier JetBlue Airways, which has reported a significant decline in demand, has been assuring its customers that it would continue to ensure their safety in light of the COVID-19.
“Since January, our pandemic response team has been activated to ensure we are working closely with government agencies, our own infectious disease medial staff, and in coordination across the entire JetBlue family to support our customers during their travel,” it said.
The airline also announced suspension of change/cancel fees across all fare types in all markets, adding that it had also increased aircraft cleaning to offer customers greater peace of mind.
American Airlines announced that it was in close contact with authorities and public health officials and would continue to coordinate with them on all required health and safety related measures regarding COVID-19.
That airline also stressed its commitment to the safety of passengers and employees, saying that has always been “top priority”.
Air Canada also announced that it had ramped up health and safety measures at the airport, before, during and after flights.
While stating that it had temporarily suspended or reduced services to more impacted areas, Air Canada put customers on notice that in response to market demand and extensive quarantine decisions it would continue to “adapt” its schedule and route network as developments “unfold”.
The German airline Lufthansa, which began direct flights to Barbados last October, to last until the end of the winter tourist season in April, has reported drastic declines in bookings and numerous flight cancellations across its markets.
While there has been no reported cancellation of its three times weekly Eurowings flight to Barbados to date, the airline said it would cancel 23,000 flights between March 29 and April 24 across the group.
Despite no restrictions to and from Barbados to date, a number of hotels here have already reported cancellations for this month.
The BHTA said that 41 out of 81 hoteliers said for this month alone there has been a $1.2 million loss in revenue, due to cancellation of 2, 853 rooms.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
