Singaporeans still going ahead with European holidays

Singaporeans still going ahead with European holidays

The MH17 plane crash has not deterred Singaporeans from visiting Europe, though some have been checking with travel agents to make sure their flights are safe.

Four out of 10 agencies here said they have received enquiries from customers about the routes their flights are taking to the continent.

Dynasty Travel said fewer than 5 per cent of its customers to Europe have expressed concern. The agency sent out e-mail and notifications on social media after the incident to reassure them about their safety. ASA Holidays has received about 20 enquiries since last Thursday, while STA Travel said it has "a few" concerned customers.

None of their customers had cancelled their trips or changed their bookings.

As a safety precaution, EU Holidays has cancelled two tours to Russia involving more than 50 individuals. They were allowed to change their travel destinations at no extra charge or postpone the date of their tours until further notice.

Supervisor Fern Leng, 55,plans to go ahead with her trip to Scandinavia next month. "I got a call from Dynasty Travel telling me that my airline would be taking a different route, so I feel quite assured."

But rerouting flights may lead to higher air fares, said Ms Alicia Seah, director of marketing communications at Dynasty Travel. "If planes are now travelling on routes that take an hour or two longer, this may result in higher fuel charges. Airports may also step up security measures, which may raise taxes."

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This article was first published on July 25, 2014.
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