Airlines cancel flights to stop COVID-19 spread

Muscat: Several airlines operating in Oman have decided to temporarily cancel flights to India, Bahrain and Egypt to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Oman Air announced on Tuesday that they are suspending flights to Bahrain and Egypt, starting from March 19, 2020.
“All guests holding Oman Air flight bookings can contact our Call Centre at (+968) 24531111 or contact Oman Air representatives in their country of origin,” said the Sultanate’s national airline.
The national carrier of India, Air India, has also postponed flights from Muscat to Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Chennai, as a precautionary measure aimed at limiting infections. An official from the Air India office in Muscat said this was a “temporary suspension of operations due to COVID-19, in view of the prevailing situation and the additional measures announced by the Omani and Indian authorities. Passengers can opt for a full refund without any penalties, and we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to all on this account.”
Air India flights from Muscat to Bangalore via Hyderabad have been suspended until April 29, while flights to Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad via Bombay have been halted until May 1, 2020.
In addition, Dubai-based low-cost carrier flydubai has cancelled flights to a number of locations, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, South Sudan, Pakistan, Djibouti, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, India, Ukraine, Egypt, Sudan and North Macedonia.
“We continue to monitor the situation relating to COVID-19 closely,” added the airline.
“flydubai follows the directives issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the local health authorities. We will continue to work closely with our airport and airlines partners to ensure that all safety measures are in place and in line with international standards.”
Passengers travelling on flydubai can rebook seats, without penalties, on flights up to 60 days from their original date of travel, but rebookings must be made before March 31, 2020. In addition, a full refund will be provided by the airline.
India-based GoAir has also suspended flights to Mumbai and Kannur from Muscat as of yesterday until April 15.
The owner of a travel agency in Oman said that many people had cancelled their travel plans following the spread of COVID-19 across many countries and the restrictions imposed.
“To be honest, people’s travel plans have been shattered,” he explained. “Many of the expat families in Oman plan on going home to their families during the upcoming summer months, and we see many advance bookings, but that has not happened this time. People are afraid of what might happen if they travel overseas because the rules regarding returning keep changing with the latest developments of the coronavirus.”
“Some families choose to travel abroad to a foreign country once in a year, and then travel home during a different period,” added the travel operator. “Now, however, everyone’s travel plans have been scrapped, and people have not just postponed their bookings...they have outright cancelled them.”