Korean travelers planning trips to France are growing uneasy as large-scale protests intensify across the country. With cancellations and date-change inquiries piling up for Paris-bound flights, domestic carriers have decided to waive the related fees.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will waive refund and rebooking fees on tickets to Paris in response to the recent violent protests in France, according to the airline industry on the 22nd.
Korean Air posted a notice on its official website the previous day saying it would not collect penalties for refunds or booking changes on tickets arriving in Paris. Asiana Airlines did not issue a separate notice but will apply the same measure.
Fees Waived on Paris Cancellations for Departures Through End of November
The waiver covers tickets to Paris purchased before Oct. 21, with departure dates from Oct. 21 through Nov. 30.
Passengers holding those tickets will not pay refund penalties if they cancel their trips. Change fees are also waived for passengers who move their departure dates. Any fare difference arising from the change, however, must be covered by the passenger.
"There are currently no problems operating the Paris route, but customers who bought Paris tickets have been requesting changes and refunds, so we decided to waive the fees in light of safety conditions on the ground," a Korean Air official said.
The decision follows mounting concerns about safety in France as anti-government protests spread through major cities and turned violent in some areas.
Up to 800,000 Join Protests Across France, Raising Risk of Disrupted Itineraries
Large protests against rising living costs and cuts to public services broke out in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other major French cities on the 17th, according to The New York Times and other foreign media.
Protesters across France were estimated to number roughly 550,000 to 800,000. Clashes between police and demonstrators occurred in some areas, along with arson and looting of shops.
As the situation worsened, local authorities tightened security measures. Paris police on the same day banned rallies and demonstrations in certain zones that include major tourist sites such as the Louvre Museum and the Champs-Élysées. A nighttime curfew is also in force in parts of the city center.
With landmarks frequently visited by tourists caught up in the protests, there are concerns that travel itineraries could be disrupted.
Koreans Weigh Canceling Trips While Flights Operate Normally
Korean travelers with upcoming trips to France are closely watching conditions there. Online travel communities have filled with posts showing proof of canceled Paris tickets, along with others voicing anxiety about local security or debating whether to change their plans.
Flights between Incheon and Paris are operating normally, however. Domestic carriers are monitoring the protests and the pace of cancellation and change inquiries.
"Refund inquiries received directly by airlines have not been many so far, but we understand there have been a considerable number through travel agencies," an airline industry official said. "We are watching the situation closely in case the protests drag on."