Southeast Asian travel associations are urging airlines to refund passengers for flight cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak, rather than issuing travel vouchers. As such, IATA said airlines should be allowed to issue vouchers in lieu of cash refunds to ease their burden. But the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations, which represents over 7,700 travel agents in 10 Southeast Asian nations, says it is “a matter of principle” to return payments collected from customers. While it is sympathetic with airlines, it says it is “poor financial management” to take deposits for future services but unable to provide refund. It also urged governments worldwide to provide financial resources and relief to the aviation and travel industry.

Source: The Standard April 12, 2020 07:18 UTC