OVER 300 FLIGHTS CANCELLED IN WEEKLONG BAN

Airlines and travel agents are helping affected passengers rework their travel bookings

MUSCAT: More than 300 flights to and from Oman have been cancelled, owing to the decision to close the country’s borders for a week to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 strain.

The decision, which was made by the Supreme Committee to deal with COVID-19, was announced on Monday, December 21, and came into effect at 1am the next day.

“The decision to prevent entry and exit to and from the Sultanate from the ports of entry on land, sea and air for a period of seven days has led to 148 incoming passenger flights being cancelled, as well as another 159 departure flights,” said an official at Oman Airports. “The total number of flights cancelled therefore stands at 307.”

Although international flights have been cancelled, domestic flights operating inside the country continue to operate. Cargo planes, goods trucks and freight ships are also allowed access to Oman’s ports of entry and exit.

Oman Air, the country’s national carrier, said in a statement: “For rebookings, guests holding Oman Air flights reservations can contact our call centre or Oman Air representatives in their respective countries.”

Adding to this, SalamAir said it “will suspend operation for all international flights effective from 00:01 hours on December 22, 2020, for a period of one week.”

In the wake of this decision, Air India has allowed passengers flying to and from Oman on their fleet the chance to change their flight bookings, on a single occasion, at no cost.

Free reschedule

“In view of the Government of India directive on suspension of flights to the UK, from 22 to 31 December, 2020, and both Oman and Saudi Arabia from 22 to 29 December 2020, Air India is offering passengers booked to travel during the period a one-time free reschedule for travel completed, within December 31, 2021.

“All penalties for one-time rescheduling, cancellation and rerouting will be waived for bookings between 22 and 31 December 2020,” added India’s flag carrier. “For further assistance in this regard, please dial our customer care numbers.”

Travel agents in Oman say many who had booked tickets during this period have requested refunds, although some are considering their options as to whether they can postpone their journeys to January 2021. “Monday and Tuesday were very stressful days, but now the crowds in our offices are thinning out, because everyone knows what the situation is like,” said Faiyaz Khan, general manager for Travel Point. “We had about 80 to 100 people planning to come from different parts of the world to Oman to celebrate Christmas and New Years’ – we had created some special packages for them, but they have decided to cancel their travel because of the ban – so those offers will now have to be scrapped.”

He added, “Some passengers have asked us to postpone their bookings but haven’t given us clear dates for when they want to fly again. This makes up approximately another 100 customers, but those who want to fly in January and February of next year have held on to their bookings.”