Major airlines are refunding tickets to travellers who have booked flights to countries affected by the Zika virus.
The mosquito-born virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women because of its connection to a neurological disorder, which might result in their babies being born with an abnormally small head.
Experts say the Zika virus, which has already spread to 24 countries, has the potential to become an "explosive pandemic". There are fears it may have already crossed to the common mosquito – thereby increasing its chances of spreading around the world.
Last week, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urged pregnant women and women trying to conceive to postpone visits to Puerto Rico, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
On Friday it added Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Guyana, Cape Verde and Samoa to the list.
Some airlines are offering refunds in light of this. They include:
British Airways
British Airways said pregnant customers due to travel up to and including February 29 who no longer wish to travel can either change their booking free of charge, delay their journey or amend to an alternative destination.
The policy applies to passengers flying to Brazil, Mexico, Barbados and the Dominican Republic.
The company told the Independent that they will continue to review the situation
American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta
All three major US airlines are allowing passengers to ask for a refund or delay their holiday to areas affected by the virus
American Airlines has expanded its refunds for pregnant customers visiting areas impacted by the Zika virus to include Puerto Rico, Martinique and nine countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean, a spokesman said Wednesday.
The world largest airline said it was giving refund to pregnant travellers to five cities in Central America on Tuesday.
United, the second-largest US airline by capacity, said it will allow customers who hold tickets to regions impacted by the Zika virus to postpone their trip or receive a full refund.
“We are offering customers who are traveling to the affected regions the opportunity to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund,” United spokesman Charles Hobart said in a statement.
Customers with current reservations who are concerned about travelling to destinations affected by Zika Viral Illness should call the company or their local reservations office and speak with a Delta Representative, according to the airline’s statement.
“Customers may qualify for a change to alternate destinations, travel dates or a refund. Customers may make fee-waived changes to future reservations/tickets. However, changes need to be made by February 29, 2016,” Delta said.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa has not yet issued advice relating to the Zika virus.
Europe’s largest airline has confirmed that normal booking regulations apply and flight scheduling has not been changed as of Wednesday. But it advised its customers to seek medical advice from their Foreign Office.
“Lufthansa Group monitors the situation closely and we are in contact with the relevant authorities. A change of our policy can incur anytime at short notice,” Boris Ogursky, a spokesman for Lufthansa Group told the Independent.
Air France
The Zika virus has had no impact on the company’s flight operations or to services to the destinations concerned, Air France said.
“Air France does not offer special conditions for customers who would like to cancel or postpone their booking following the Zika threat,” the company told the Independent.
Air France continues to closely monitor the situation and is in direct contact with the French and international health authorities.
