Nicaragua Unrest Prompts Flight Change Waivers

Ongoing civil unrest in Nicaragua has prompted a number of airlines to issue flight change waivers and the State Department to issue a Level 3 travel advisory.

In its latest update the State Department reports that rallies and demonstrations are widespread and occur daily with little notice, with the government responding in many instances with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Looting, vandalism and acts of arson can occur during unrest, including in tourist areas.

The advisory is rated at Level 3: Reconsider Travel on the State Department’s new four-level scale. Those who do travel to the country are being advised by the State Department to consider arrangements to depart, as there are no plans for a U.S. government-assisted evacuation.

American Airlines is allowing customers scheduled to fly to, through or from Managua through June 17 to change their ticket without fee for rebooked travel through July 15. Customers can change their origin or destination city to Belize City, Belize (BZE), Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA), Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), Panama City, Panama (PTY), San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL), San Pedro, Honduras (SAP), San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), or Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU). Rebookings must be in the same cabin (or pay the difference).

Delta has issued a change waiver for Managua for travel scheduled through June 17. Rebooked travel must begin no later than June 20, with the new ticket to be reissued on or before that date.

Finally, customers scheduled to travel on United Airlines through June 15 can rebook through June 24 in the originally ticketed cabin and between the same city pair. Customers can also rebook after June 24, or change their departure or destination city, in which case United will waive the change fee, but a difference in fare may apply. Rescheduled travel must be completed within one year from the date when the ticket was issued.

Related Stories

Regent Skips Two Latin America Calls Due to Volcano

Hurricane Bud Could Approach Baja as Tropical Storm

Another New All-Inclusive Brand for AMResorts, This Time in Mexico

Avanti Adds Air-Inclusive Packages, Bonus Commission Offer