Airlines Asked To Review Emergency Plans Amid Swine Flu Outbreak
April 26 2009 - 5:28PM
Dow Jones News
International airlines were requested to review their health
emergency planning Sunday amid rising global concern about the
spread of a deadly new strain of swine flu from Mexico.
The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association, or
IATA, stopped short of requesting airlines take additional steps,
noting industry guidelines have been drawn up with the World Health
Organization and airport and airline agencies.
No airlines have so far announced any plans to cancel flights to
and from Mexico, though some carriers changed their ticket
policies, allowing passengers to reschedule travel for a later date
at no extra charge.
"At the present time, IATA recommends that airlines review their
preparedness plans for public health emergency and consider how
they may be implemented in the event that the current situation
becomes more widespread," said the trade body in a statement posted
on its Web site Sunday. "No specific additional measures are
currently advised. Recommendations will be reviewed in light of WHO
evaluation of the evolving situation."
Air Canada issued a travel advisory Sunday that allows
passengers to and from Mexico City to change travel plans at no
additional cost.
Canadian officials have identified six confirmed cases of swine
fever among people who have recently returned from Mexico. Cases
have also been identified in three U.S. states.
US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) and United Airlines, a unit of UAL
Corp. (UAUA), both "relaxed" restrictions on changing tickets for
Mexico travel. American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp. (AMR), is
allowing no-fee changes to Mexico travel through May 6, according
to a posting on its Web site Sunday. Continental Airlines Inc.
(CAL) and Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) did not immediately respond to
calls about their own plans for passengers traveling to and from
the country.
Airline passengers are viewed as the most likely means for the
international transmission of viruses with pandemic potential, and
the industry has honed its preparations in the wake of the Sars
avian flu epidemic in 2003. Sars had a devastating impact on
airline traffic to and from Asia and within the region, and the
outbreak of swine flu comes as passenger numbers to central and
South America have started to falter in the wake of the global
economic slowdown.
-By Doug Cameron, Dow Jones Newswires; (312) 750 4135;
doug.cameron@dowjones.com