AIR JAMAICA yesterday announced temporary policy arrangements to assist passengers affected by the decision of the British Government to introduce visa requirements for Jamaicans.
These measures will take into account passenger circumstances such as dates of purchase and flight arrival on tickets to the UK.
The company said it would waive all change penalty fees for passengers currently holding tickets purchased by January 8 and arriving in the UK on or after January 15, 2003. No additional payments will be necessary for adjustments in travel itinerary.
Passengers ticketed on or before January 8, 2003 who elect not to travel due to these new requirements will be able to have their tickets refunded at full value less an administrative charge of US$20, Air Jamaica said.
Passengers holding or making new reservations on or after January 9, 2003 will be allowed an extended period for the purchase of tickets. Currently the rules allow for ticketing within three days of making reservations. Air Jamaica says it will extend the ticketing period to seven days after reservations.
The airline is anticipating an initial fall in revenue consequent on the new visa regime.
"Some people obviously will decide not to fly for one reason or another, and others will probably be turned down depending on how strict the British High Commission is in granting visas," Chris Zacca, deputy chairman of the airline said yesterday.
The airline, which has 11 flights to the UK each week nine to London and two to Manchester, will just have to wait and see how the situation develops, he said.
According to Mr. Zacca, the airline transports a monthly average of 16,000 passengers in off-peak periods and about 18,000 in the peak periods.
Meanwhile, British Airways has announced that it too had instituted a series of administrative measures to assist passengers needing to change bookings or effect refunds.
BA said it would waive change fees for passengers holding tickets by January 8 for arrival in the UK on or after January 15, 2003.
Previously, fees of between US$100 - US$150 would apply to changes made after tickets were written and issued.
