Coronavirus: GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara offering to lessen passengers stress

As coronavirus fears intensify across the world, travellers are forced to reschedule their travel plans. Airlines have started to offer various waivers, to help cushion the blow. When it comes to making the waivers generous, some airlines may have done a better job than others.

GoAir

GoAir has been the most generous, and once the promotion has been aptly called 'power of freedom'. The offer, for travel in mid of March 8 to September 30, allows passengers to book and reschedule a ticket with no cancellation or re-booking fees.

A few points to be noted - the offer is applicable for bookings made between March 8 and April 30; the waiver will be valid till 14 days before departure; and while rescheduling a flight, the passenger needs to pay extra if there is a difference in the fare.

The airline's offer is similar to Qatar Airways offered earlier to its customers, who can make changes until three days before travel. But here, the offer is for travel till June 30.

IndiGo and SpiceJet

IndiGo's offer is applicable from March 12 to March 31, for both existing and new bookings. SpiceJet's also offer the same validity.

William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo, said in a statement on March 7, "To take this anxiety away and make their travel hassle-free, we are waiving our normal change fees on all travel during the next two weeks and for all new bookings made in that period.".

Vistara

Vistara, the Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines joint venture, for bookings made on or before March 1, it has waived off cancellation and rescheduling charges.

Air India

Air India hasn't made any announcements on the booking front. Air India got praises for evacuating stranded Indians from virus-hit China.

Almost all airlines have offered to waive cancellation and rescheduling charges.