Malaysia Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Kuala Lumpur and Seoul through March 31 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement follows the Malaysian government’s decision to impose travel restrictions on all Iranian, Italian and South Korean nationals, which took effect on March 13. Malaysian citizens returning from these countries will also be subject to a compulsory 14-day quarantine.
The Malaysian flag carrier normally offers 12 round-trip flights per week between the two capital cities.
According to Malaysia Airlines, affected passengers are entitled to request an alternative travel date for travel until December 31 this year, or request for a full refund, or opt to be rerouted to other destinations within the Greater China region (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong or Xiamen) or Japan (Narita and Osaka).
The airline said fees for refund and re-issuance will be waived, though any fare difference due to changes to travel date or routing will apply.
The airline added that passengers may call its Global Contact Centre at 1-300-88-3000 (in Malaysia) or + 603 7843 3000 (outside Malaysia) to initiate these transactions.
The airline said the KAL Lounge at Terminal 1 of Seoul Incheon International Airport (International Departures) has been closed until further notice due to “the significant reduction in air travel in passenger traffic”.
The KAL Lounge is operated by Korean Air. According to a spokesperson from Malaysia Airlines, passengers who are travelling on business class, business suite on Malaysia Airlines, first or business class on Oneworld airline partners, Enrich (Malaysia Airlines’ frequent flyer programme) Platinum or Gold members or Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire members would normally have access to the KAL Lounge.
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is updating a list of airlines that have cut or suspended flights to South Korea due to the Covid-19 pandemic:
