Be certain during uncertain times

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081206/TRAVEL/322417465/-1/NEWS

Last Updated: December 04. 2008 6:43PM UAE / December 4. 2008 2:43PM GMT

I am due to depart on holiday to Thailand next week. I booked my flights and accommodation in June but because of the recent disturbances in Bangkok I no longer feel like going there. The airline I am due to fly with has refused to offer me a refund. What can I do?

The political situation in Thailand is very uncertain at present. Last week large numbers of demonstrators caused the complete closure of both Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang Domestic Airport in Bangkok. As well as the chaos caused by the cancellation of flights into and out of the capital, which is also a gateway to other countries in the region including Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Burma and Malaysia, the crisis caused considerable overload at the country’s regional airports. I can fully understand your disinclination to travel.

Although the 1929 Warsaw Convention, which governs air travel, excludes airlines from any liability caused by civil insurrection, at the time of the crisis, some airlines, including Emirates, Thai Airways and British Airways, offered passengers who were due to fly the opportunity to receive a full refund or to rebook their flights for a later date, subject to availability. Etihad extended this policy to passengers booked to fly until tomorrow (Dec 7).


However, demonstrations at the airports ended on Tuesday and at the time of going to press the airport was due to re-open on Thursday. Foreign governments are not advising against travel to the country and although there is still a large backlog of flights to sort out, the situation should have eased by the time you are due to depart. The airline that you are travelling with is under no obligation to offer you a refund or allow you to postpone the date of travel but depending on the type of ticket you have purchased, it may allow you to make route or departure changes for a small fee, so you should study the terms and conditions outlined by the airline or travel agent, and contact them directly.

The good news for independent travellers is that most hotels allow you to cancel without a penalty if you give at least 48 hours’ notice. Despite the situation in Bangkok, beach destinations including Phuket and Koh Samui are unaffected and foreign governments’ travel advice units have stopped short of advising that the country is unsafe.

I have been planning a weekend break in Mumbai and would like to help support India after the recent terrorist attacks. However, I have heard that the British and other foreign governments are advising that the threat from terrorism is still high. Should I travel or not?

Because the recent deadly attacks in Mumbai seemingly targeted at westerners, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office temporarily warned against all but essential travel to Mumbai. This has now been lifted but it still advises that there is a high threat from terrorism throughout the country. However, there are few countries in the world these days where there is no threat from terrorism at all, and flights and other services are now operating normally in Mumbai. It is important bear in mind that wherever you are, in most cases the risk of being caught up in a terrorist attack is extremely small. That said, you should be aware that most travel insurance policies will not cover losses or medical expenses resulting from acts of terrorism or civil unrest. Whether you choose to travel or not boils down to personal choice, but there is a lot to be said for showing solidarity with the people of Mumbai and refusing to have your holiday experience spoiled by extremists.

travel@thenational.ae