US airlines pledge to refund fares of travellers denied boarding due to fever

Major US airlines have promised to refund the cost of tickets for passengers denied boarding because of elevated temperatures, which could be a symptom of coronavirus. The announcement by trade organisation Airlines for America (A4A) on 25 June comes as carriers are desperately trying to win back the confidence of the travelling public as the global pandemic wears on. A4A represents 11 major US passenger and cargo carriers. Industry critics say airlines have been slow to implement recommendations by the CDC and have introduced a patchwork of measures rather than a uniform code to keep crew and passengers safe through the crisis. They have also been criticised for not promptly offering refunds to customers when a flight is cancelled, or a travel itinerary is interrupted for coronavirus-related reasons. The airline trade group reiterated its call on the TSA to begin conducting temperature screenings at the more than 450 airports it services as long as is necessary during the public health crisis. “Temperature checks are one of several public health measures recommended by the CDC amid the Covid-19 pandemic and will add an extra layer of protection for passengers as well as airline and airport employees,” the industry organisation writes. The FAA has not mandated industrywide standards related to aircraft sanitation, or how passengers should protect themselves and others while travelling by air. <br/>