Singapore Airlines Steps Up Measures Against Swine Influenza

Singapore Airlines is increasing its vigilance against swine flu and has adopted various measures to ensure the well-being of all customers and staff across the organisation.

To keep customers up to date on the disease, pamphlets containing a list of Frequently-Asked-Questions on swine flu will be distributed on flights to and from the affected areas1 prior to departure.

On board, health kits containing a thermometer, masks and antiseptic towels, will be provided to all customers on board flights to the United States. Thermometers will be made available to customers on flights from the United States. These will be provided on a request basis should they feel unwell.

To ensure that the strictest hygiene standards are met, all Singapore Airlines aircraft which have operated to affected areas will undergo additional cleaning while they are on the ground.

Singapore Airlines values the well-being and health of our staff, and measures are in place to ensure that they remain physically fit to carry out their duties.

All employees are strongly advised to keep abreast of the developing situation, and to seek immediate medical attention should they feel unwell.

Cabin and flight crew will undergo mandatory temperature checks prior to operating a flight, while all frontline staff at Singapore’s Changi Airport are tasked with carrying out temperature checks twice a day, in line with requirements set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Non-operational employees are kept updated on the latest developments via the Airline’s internal communication channels.

Singapore Airlines is closely monitoring the situation, and will adopt additional measures as necessary in line with the recommendations of global and local health authorities.

As a gesture of goodwill, the Airline is waiving cancellation and itinerary change fees on a worldwide basis.

The waiver is valid for tickets issued prior to 28 April 2009 for travel up to, and including 27 May 2009 on Singapore Airlines flights only.

Customers may change the routing of their journey, defer the date of travel until 31 October 2009, or cancel, without penalty.

Any change of date or routing will be charged at the new fare for that journey less the fare for the journey paid, with no amendment fee (e.g., if travel is in a higher class, or deferred to a higher season, the seasonal fare difference will still apply).

The same conditions apply for KrisFlyer redemption tickets.

1Based on the definition of affected areas as set by Singapore’s Ministry of Health. As of 30 April 2009, these are: Mexico, the United States (California, Texas, Kansas and New York), and Canada (Novo Scotia). As Singapore Airlines only operates flights to and from the United States, only US flights are affected.