COVID-19 COVER

A small but growing number of airlines have begun offering free cover for Covid-19-related expenses in a bid to boost confidence in travel. Emirates was the first, in July announcing that it would provide free global cover for Covid-19 health and quarantine expenses for passengers flying to any of its destinations. The airline said that travellers diagnosed with the disease during their travel within 31 days of taking their first flight would be covered for up to €150,000 (US$177,000), including quarantine costs of up to €100 (US$118) per day for 14 days. (The cover ends once the passenger has returned to the point of origin.)

Adam Li, Emirates’ vice president for China, said the carrier had received positive feedback about the cover from travellers and the industry at large and that the airline had experienced an “uptake in demand for travel in July and August”. Etihad and Virgin Atlantic followed suit, promising to reimburse all passengers who contracted the disease on their trip for both medical and quarantine expenses.

Air Canada has introduced free Covid-19 emergency medical and quarantine insurance for all Canadian residents booking round-trip international flights until April 12, 2021, although the country’s government is currently advising against any non-essential travel outside of Canada.