An archive photo
MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – Flydubai has once again extended the suspension of its Dubai-Minsk flights until 31 January, BelTA learned from the National Union of Tourism Organizations.
Tour operators and travel agencies have received another notification from the carrier. The union noted that Belarusian travel companies and tourists are experiencing losses.
“This is not the first time Flydubai has suspended flights to Minsk. From 24 December onwards, there have been periodic announcements of flights to Moscow instead of Minsk. The airline has explained in its communications with Belarusian partners that the reason for flying to Moscow is ‘operational’. On the morning of 14 January, the airline announced in its mailing that flights are canceled until 31 January inclusive. The changes will be reflected in the system. Alternative flights from Vnukovo and transfers will continue to operate as before,” the union reported.
Tourist companies had assumed the problem would be resolved within a reasonable timeframe and flights would return to Minsk. Rescheduling, cancellations, and force majeure are not uncommon in tourism. But the situation has dragged on.
“Tourists now have two options. They can cancel their tours and risk financial loss (the actual costs incurred by the tour operators for the tour may amount to up to 100%) or they can agree to new terms: traveling to Moscow and returning from Moscow using bus transfers organized by Flydubai. The airline’s conditions involve some inconveniences. People who purchased tours with direct flights did not expect to have to transfer to Moscow. Objectively, neither Belarusian travel companies nor clients have a good way out of the situation. Uncertainty remains in the market, companies and tourists are suffering losses, and clients’ vacations are being disrupted,” the National Union of Tourism Organizations emphasized.
Belarusian tourists utilize Flydubai flights to travel to UAE resorts and for connecting flights to the Maldives and other popular destinations.
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