Air Transat, Sunquest cancel flights to Mexico

[Bulldog]

Chris Sorensen
Business Reporter
Apr 28, 2009 04:43 PM


Thousands of Canadians could have their holiday plans disrupted as Canadian tour operators cancel bookings to Mexico over the next month in the wake of the widening swine flu outbreak there.
Montreal-based Transat AT Inc., the country’s largest tour operator, said today that it is “postponing” all flights from Canada to Mexico until June 1 and all flights from France to Mexico until May 31, regardless if the travel is being operated by Air Transat or its partner airlines.

However, the seller of packaged holidays will maintain its schedule for return flights, and will be adding new flights to bring home customers, passengers and employees now in Mexico.

Transat said in a statement that it is taking the measures “as a result of the World Health Organization’s decision to raise the swine flu alert to Phase 4 and following directives issued by governments because of the appearance of swine flu in several countries.”

The WHO’s global pandemic alert scale has six levels, with Level 6 representing a full blown pandemic. By contrast, a Level 4 rating means the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but is not inevitable.

Similarly, Sunquest Vacations said it was cancelling trips until June 4, giving passengers the option to rebook to other destinations, while U.S.-based Carnival Cruise Lines said it had cancelled Mexico stops for three of its cruise ships.

The moves come as health officials in Ontario confirmed four more cases were in Greater Toronto while another two were confirmed in Alberta, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in this country to 13.

There have so far been no deaths related to swine flu reported outside of Mexico, which has been the epicentre of the virus and where 1,900 people are sick and as many as 150 deaths have been linked to the virus.

On Monday, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel advisory for Mexico, warning against all non-essential travel to the country.

At Transat, affected customers will be given the option of rebooking on a later date or travelling to another destination, the company said. However, passengers must cover the difference if the rebooked vacations are more expensive and will not receive refunds if they are cheaper.

“We’re trying to offer people the best alternative possible,” said Jean-Michel Laberge, a Transat spokesperson, adding that trips can be rebooked for resorts in Cuba or the Dominican Republic, among others.

Transat customers currently in Mexico were advised to seek information about their return flights because some flights leaving the country after May 3 will be moved forward.

Transat said it may need to take additional measures, depending on decisions made by public health authorities and governments.

Meanwhile, Air Canada continues to offer passengers flying to or from Mexico the option of rebooking flights scheduled before May 6 without paying change fees.

The airline is monitoring the situation closely, said Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick.

Similarly, WestJet Airlines Ltd. is allowing customers scheduled to travel to or from Mexico before May 8 to rebook or cancel their flights without penalty.

Robert Palmer, a WestJet spokesperson, said the Calgary-based carrier is not contemplating cancelling its Mexico-bound flights.

“No, not at this point,” said Palmer. “With our winter (schedule) coming to an end on Sunday, the numbers of guests is falling off anyway.”


 
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/625739

[Bulldog]

Transat A.T. postpones flights to Mexico until June 1

As a result of the World Health Organization’s decision to raise the level of the swine flu alert to Phase 4, and following directives issued by governments because of the appearance of swine flu in several countries, Transat A.T. Inc. is postponing its flights from Canada to Mexico until June 1 inclusive, and from France to Mexico until May 31 inclusive. This decision applies to flights operated by Air Transat or other carriers. Transat is maintaining its return flights as planned until May 3, and will be adding other flights according to an as-yet-unspecified schedule in order to bring home its customers, passengers and employees now in Mexico.
All customers of Transat and its business units Air Transat, Transat Holidays and Nolitours (in Canada) or Vacances Transat and Look Voyages (in France) who were scheduled to fly to Mexico between now and June 1 can change their travel plans, with no additional service charges, in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. Travel on a later date: passengers who wish to travel on a later date can do so. The trip must be completed on or before Oct. 31. If the price of the new package is higher than that of the trip originally planned, the passenger must cover the difference in price. If the price of the new package is lower than that of the trip originally planned, there will be no refund.
2. Travel to another destination: passengers who wish to travel to a different destination can do so by selecting another destination offered by Air Transat, Nolitours or Transat Holidays or in France by Vacances Transat and Look Voyages. The trip must be completed on or before Oct. 31. If the price of the new package is higher than that of the trip originally planned, the passenger must cover the difference in price. If the price of the new package is lower than that of the trip originally planned, there will be no refund.
Transat is currently planning additional flights to other destinations to accommodate travellers. Passengers currently in Mexico should seek information, since some return flights, after May 3, will be moved forward and schedules could be changed depending on the situation. Travellers should therefore contact their destination representative and look for signs to this effect in their hotel (usually in the lobby). Transat’s web sites will also be updated as soon as flight schedules have been finalized. Travellers now in Mexico, or on the point of returning from the country, are encouraged to take the following precautions:
• Adhere to hygiene practices; that is, covering the mouth with the hand when coughing, washing the hands often with soap and warm water, and restricting direct physical contact;
• See a doctor if symptoms appear, even two weeks after returning from travel. Symptoms to watch out for are fatigue, fever, aching muscles and pain in the eyes, and headaches;
• Periodically consult governmental public health web sites for the latest recommendations issued by authorities.
(http://www.airtransat.ca)

http://www.travelpress.com/PHP/news.php?sid=7908



Sunquest suspends Mexico program


Due to concerns about travelling to Mexico because of Human Swine Influenza, Sunquest has decided not to operate programs to Mexico, effective immediately. Plans are to resume operations after June 4. The following policy will apply to all Sunquest Mexico bookings between April 28 and June 4: For those passengers departing from now to June 4 (inclusive): “You may change your booking to any other Sunquest destination, including the ALBATours Italy program, for travel anytime up to Oct. 31; You can cancel your booking and receive a travel credit for the amount, which must be used before Oct. 31 to any destination Sunquest or ALBATours offers; You must pay any price difference if the cost is higher; There will be no refund for any difference in rates if the cost is lower; Travel must be commenced by the end of Oct. 31; These changes must be made through our call centres.” Sunquest recommends that customers also check with their travel insurers as they may have coverage for this type of incident. Flights will continue to operate to collect passengers currently in Mexico.

http://www.travelpress.com/PHP/news.php?sid=7897

[Bulldog]

WestJet to cease Mexican services as of May 4

In light of increased concern regarding the spread of the human swine influenza virus in Mexico, WestJet and WestJet Vacations will cease service to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, effective May 4. Service will resume to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta on June 20. Service to Cancun, a seasonal destination for WestJet, will return in the fall schedule.
All guests who were scheduled to fly to Mexico between now and June 20 can make the following changes to their travel plans with no change or cancel fees:
1. Travel to the same destination at a later date once service has resumed;
2. Select another WestJet destination up to the same value of the currently booked travel;
3. Request a Future Travel Credit (FTC). This FTC can be used for any WestJet destination, is fully transferable and is valid for one year from date of issue;
4. Request a full refund to original form of payment.
The following toll-free numbers are available for guests looking to change their travel plans. From Canada and the United States: 1-877-953-9234; From Mexico: 001 800 514 7288; Guests having difficulty contacting WestJet using toll-free numbers may call collect 403-539-7800.
WestJet will be contacting all guests currently in Mexico to inform them that additional flights are being made available to expedite their early departure.


Air Canada suspends Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta operations

As a result of the outbreak of influenza in parts of Mexico, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations are suspending all operations to Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta until June 1. Air Canada Vacations (ACV) customers booked for travel to Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta with Air Canada Vacations between April 28 and June 1, inclusive, can rebook their holiday with no change fees. Travel can be to any destination or resort offered by Air Canada Vacations. Customers are responsible for any price differential resulting from the selection of a higher priced alternative. Customers may rebook their travel by contacting Customer Care at 1- 800-296-3408 or through their travel agent. Travel must be completed by Oct. 31. Further information is available at http://www.aircanadavacations.com.Flights will continue to operate as scheduled until May 4 to bring home all passengers presently in Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta. Based on travel demand, Air Canada currently plans to maintain flights to Mexico City. Air Canada customers with reservations for travel to/from Mexico City up to May 6 may rebook or cancel their travel arrangements without penalty, through Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262 or through their travel agent.For further information on influenza, customers are encouraged to consult the Public Health Agency of Canada web site at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca .