What rights do travellers have if a flight is cancelled due to the coronavirus?
Baptiste Lo-Presti - If the airline cancels a flight because of the coronavirus, the passenger is automatically entitled to a refund. On the other hand, if it is the passenger himself who decides to give up your flightThe passenger will not be entitled to any refund, at least not in principle. We're talking here about the coronavirus, but if the airline cancels the flight, whatever the cause, the passenger is always entitled to a refund.
Are there any differences depending on the destination, the emergency status, the fact that the government formally advises against travelling there?
Baptiste Lo-Presti - Not at all. Even if the government advises against certain destinations, as long as the decision to cancel the ticket comes from the passenger himself, he has no right to anything, at least in theory. In practice, however, airlines are taking action. Air France, for example, has decided to postpone flights free of charge.
Is the situation the same for a tourist as for a business traveller who has booked via a TMC and whose company has signed a contract with the airline?
Baptiste Lo-Presti - In principle, this changes nothing. But you need to study the content of the contracts. This can be done on a case-by-case basis. If the passenger is insured, there may also be cover. But there's a caveat here too: in general, epidemics are not covered by insurance...
What advice would you give to travellers to help them avoid potential setbacks?
Baptiste Lo-Presti - Keep up to date with what's happening, both with the airline and the authorities. Above all, don't give in to psychosis and, if possible, don't abandon your flight of your own accord. You should also check with your travel insurance, if you have one, or with your bank card insurance company to find out if there is any cover available.
