Airlines Will Tap New Tech in These Uncertain Times to Make It Easier to Change Restricted Tickets

JetBlue

A passenger checks in for a JetBlue flight. JetBlue

Skift Take: Many travelers no longer want to take some trips this year for various reasons, even if their flights haven’t been canceled. A new automated solution will speed up the pace at which airlines can rebook passengers by overriding the restrictions on tickets bought before the crisis.

— Sean O’Neill

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Spain Calls for Investigation Into Airlines Breaching EU Refund Regulations

Iberia Airlines

An Iberia aircraft at Madrid’s Barajas airport. Iberia Airlines

Skift Take: Airline refunds have not been happening as they should be in Europe in the wake of mass cancellations due to the virus. Though it’s not clear which specific airlines are at fault, the practice has been widespread enough to warrant an investigation.

— Rosie Spinks

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Greek Hotels Reopened Monday to Uncertain Summer Travel Season

Pedro Szekely  / Flickr

Greek hotel operators were able to reopen properties Monday, but that doesn’t mean demand levels justify resumed operations. Pedro Szekely / Flickr

Skift Take: Greece’s tourism sector is technically reopened to business, but a normal level of operation hinges on demand giving hoteliers a reason to resume business at temporarily shuttered properties.

— Cameron Sperance

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China Eases Flight Curbs After U.S. Targets Its Carriers

孤飞的鹤  / Adobe

China has slashed international flights since late March to allay concerns over rising coronavirus infections brought by arriving passengers. 孤飞的鹤 / Adobe

Skift Take: China’s policies are about to become even more complex, and airlines will need to jump through even more hoops if they want to increase flight frequencies to the country.

— Matthew Parsons

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Caribbean Islands Reopen to International Tourism

JumpStory

An image of Gros Piton, or Grand Piton, a mountain in the southern tip of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. JumpStory

Skift Take: A cluster of Caribbean islands, including Saint Lucia, are reopening this month for international tourism. But be cautious. Federal forecasters expect an above-average hurricane season amid a pandemic.

— Sean O’Neill

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Austria to Lift Coronavirus Travel Restrictions With Its Neighbors — Except Italy

Emmanuel DYAN  / Flickr

Austria will continue to enforce travel restrictions to and from Italy due to that country’s higher coronavirus infection rate. Emmanuel DYAN / Flickr

Skift Take: Austria’s continued plans to enforce travel restrictions against Italy show shared borders don’t mean automatic admittance to a travel bubble during the coronavirus recovery.

— Cameron Sperance

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Prague Tempts Visitors With Cheaper Czech Beer and Other Perks

JumpStory

An image of the Charles River flowing through Prague, Czech Republic. JumpStory

Skift Take: Only last December, the Czech capital had many residents griping about overtourism. The pandemic has since crushed tourism, prompting local businesses to tempt visitors back with cheaper prices. Hopefully a balance can be struck.

— Sean O’Neill

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