Several airlines flying to and from Chengdu have announced that they will waive rebooking and refund charges for passengers with tickets to the provincial capital of Sichuan.
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Ya’an city, Sichuan, on Saturday morning killed 188 and injured more than 11,000, but its impact on Chengdu, 115km to the northeast, was less severe and Shuangliu airport resumed operation in the same morning after a short interruption. The spreading direct-controlled municipality of Chongqing, 300 km to the east, has also suffered damage.
Still, some chaos are expected at the airport as aid workers and journalists are arriving in droves because of the tragedy. Airlines are giving customers the option to delay or cancel their trips.
Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways have implemented special ticket handling due to the earthquake. Rebooking, rerouting, cancellation and refund charges will be waived for all tickets issued worldwide on/before April 20, 2013 with confirmed booking involving Chengdu or Chonqing between April 20 and 26, 2013.
Dragonair also waives rebooking and rerouting charges for all tickets issued on/before April 20 with confirmed booking to Chengdu and Chongqing between April 20 and 22, 2013. Revised travel date must be on / before 22 May 2013 and subject to flight availability.
Nino Lin
