AirAsia cancels some flights between South Korea, PH due to expanded travel ban

MANILA, Philippines — Budget airline AirAsia Philippines has canceled some flights between South Korea and Philippines after the government’s task force imposed a travel ban on the said country in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19.

“In compliance with the Philippine government’s directive imposing travel restrictions due to the current public health situation, AirAsia is cancelling some of its flights between the Philippines and South Korea until the government’s further notice,” read the statement issued on Tuesday.

The budget carrier said the following flights are canceled:

• Z2 38  Kalibo-Seoul-Incheon  March 4 – March 28 (Canceled on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays)
• Z2 39 Seoul-Incheon-Kalibo   March 4 – March 28 (Canceled on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays)
• Z2 58 Kalibo-Busan  March 7 – March 28 (Canceled on Saturdays)
• Z2 59 Busan-Kalibo March 7 – March 28 (Canceled on Saturdays)
• Z2 7046 Cebu-Seoul-Incheon  March 3 – March 28 (Canceled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
• Z2 7047 Seoul-Incheon-Cebu March 3 – March 28 (Canceled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
• Z2 888 Manila-Seoul-Incheon March 4 – March 28 (Canceled Daily)
• Z2 889 Seoul-Incheon-Manila March 4 – March 28 (Canceled Daily)

The budget airline said flights en route to South Korea from Clark and selected flights from Manila, Cebu, and Kalibo will continue operations.

Passengers with canceled tickets will be notified through e-mail or SMS, the airline said.

“AirAsia strongly encourages guests to update their contact details using the ‘My Bookings’ feature on airasia.com to ensure that they receive timely notification,” the management of the budget airline said.

Affected clients are also advised to choose the following options:

1. Move flight: One-time flight change to a new travel date on the same route within 30 calendar days from the original flight time without additional cost, subject to seat availability; OR
2. Credit account: Retain the value of your fare in your AirAsia BIG Loyalty account for future travel with AirAsia. The online credit account is to be redeemed for booking within 90 calendar days from the issuance date for your travel with us. The actual travel dates can be after the expiry date as long as our flight schedule is out; OR
3. Full refund: Obtain a full refund to your original payment method for the amount equivalent to your booking.

Refund requests can be made with AVA at support.airasia.com. From the main menu categories available, click on “Refund” then “New Refund Request” and finally “Flight Cancellation Refund”. From there, simply follow the instructions as directed by AVA.

The Civil Aeronautics Board previously ordered airlines to follow government’s travel restrictions going to South Korea as per the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID).

Under the ban, Filipinos are not allowed to travel to South Korea except for permanent residents of South Korea, Filipino studying in South Korea and Filipino workers in South Korea. Exempted travellers, however, are still required to sign a written declaration acknowledging risks which will also be complemented with a health advisory.

The travel restrictions to-and-from North Gyeongsang, Daegu and Cheongdo exempts Filipinos with foreign spouse and children, holders of Permanent Resident Visa and holders of 9(e) Diplomat Visas.

The deadly disease in South Korea has infected 4,812 individuals and killed 28 people, mostly from city of Daegu and nearby areas.