Airlines Slow to React to Floods in Thailand

Normally airlines are quick to react to natural disasters, turmoil, and other events that could impact their paying passengers in one way or another.

The airlines often understand that a customer may have to change plans, and generously allow them to change their travel dates at no extra cost regardless of the ticket restrictions. In the most extreme cases, the airline may even allow a full refund.

This however, has not been the case for most major airlines flying in and out of Bangkok, Thailand's capital city, which is currently preparing itself for what could be extreme flooding over the coming days.

The floods, the country's worst in decades, has affected many of Thailand's north, east and western provinces, killed over 260 people and even forced the closure of some major manufacturing and assebly plants such as Honda's in the Rojana Park area of Ayutthaya, which closed on 4 October and is expected to remain closed until at least the end of the week. Nikon and Toyota have also been affected as have many other companies, both local and international.

And it is not just business, whether it be agriculture or manufacturing, that has been severely affected. Millions of people throughout the country have been impacted by the floods.

While at press time, Bangkok was still relatively dry - in flood terms at least, the uncertainty of what may happen over the next few days is sure to give travellers pause for concern, and it is to this concern that airlines should respond, offering more flexibility to those that are looking to change itineraries, whether it be inbound or outbound, rather than demand what seem to be ever-increasing and often over-priced fees.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Bangkok, Thailand