UPDATE: Airlines Asked To Review Emergency Plans Amid Swine Flu Outbreak
April 26 2009 - 7:56PM
Dow Jones News
International airlines were requested to review their 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 any 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 most active in the region revised 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."
Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) and Air Canada issued advisories
Sunday that allows passengers to and from Mexico City to change
travel plans at no additional cost. "We are working directly with
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)," said Delta in an emailed
statement. "At this time, there is no impact to our operation, but
we are allowing customers to make a one-time to change travel plans
to Mexico through May 4."
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.
Other U.S. carriers including American Airlines, a unit of AMR
Corp. (AMR), Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL), United Airlines, a
unit of UAL Corp. (UAUA) and US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) revised
their own ticket restrictions. No-fee changes can be made between
May 4 and May 7, depending on the airline.
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