Zika virus concerns prompt Canadian airlines to let travellers cancel or change flights

Several Canadian airlines, includingWestJetand Air Canada,say they will lettravellerschangebookings or geta refund if they want to cancel their flights because of concerns over theZikavirus outbreak.

The airlines announced changes to their cancellation policies on Thursday, following similar announcementsby United Airlines and American Airlines in the U.S.

Air Canada says itspolicy applies to "women (and their travel companions)" whoprovide a note from a health-care professional, whileWestJetsays it does not need a doctor's note.

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The airlines'announcements come as publichealth officials around the world raiseconcerns about the mosquito-bornevirus, which isbelieved to be capable of causing serious birth defects of the brain.

Canadian and U.S. health officials areadvisingpregnant women, or women thinking of becoming pregnant, to consider postponing any travelto areas in Central and South Americawhere there have beenZikaoutbreaks, or at least take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling to those areas.

Air Canada says women and their travel companions can change their flight bookings or receive a refund without penalty, provided they obtain "a note from a health-care professional" saying they're at risk.

In an advisory posted on itswebsiteon Thursday, Air Canada said its policy applies only to tickets issued no later than Tuesday for travel planned from Thursday until June 30 to one of the following countries:

• Barbados.
• Bolivia.
• Brazil.
• Colombia.
• Dominican Republic.
• Ecuador.
• El Salvador.
• French Guiana.
• Guadeloupe.
• Guatemala.
• Guyana.
• Haiti.
• Honduras.
• Martinique.
• Mexico.
• Panama.
• Paraguay.
• Puerto Rico.
• Saint-Martin.
• Suriname.
• U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Venezuela.

Those who bookedwithAeroplanor Air Canada Vacations are asked to contact those companies directly, the airline's advisory states.

WestJetdoes not require doctor's note

WestJetpassengersdo not haveto produce a doctor's note if they want to change or cancel their bookings for upcomingtraveltoZika-infectedareas,but they are encouraged to callthe airline,aspokeswoman told CBC News.

Those who opt for refunds will receive them in the form offuture travel credits, theWestJetspokeswomanadded.

The operator of AirTransatsays pregnant passengers with a medical note and companions in their immediate family can reschedule or change destinations if they were booked to fly to countries thathave been listed by the Pan American Health Organization as having the virus.

The company is not offering refunds and changes are only permitted for those staying in the same hotel room.

SunwingVacations says it would consider accommodating customer requests forchangesif provided with a doctor's note.

Airline phone numbers

Travellers with questions about their bookings to countries were theZikavirus has been reported are asked to call the airlines they booked with:

• Air Canada: 1-888-247-2262
• WestJet: 1-888-937-8538
• AirTransat: 1-877-872-6728
• Sunwing:1-877-786-9464