Swiss Air have cancelled all bookings, but are offering seats on the same flight 10 times more expen

geoff_barnes

Swiss Air say they have cancelled all bookings due to Covid 19 and say that those wishing to travel must rebook,  but I can still make a booking for the same flight for which I have a reservation, however the price has gone from £30 to £330 and they are saying the difference in price must be paid. I was notified of this within 3 days of travel, I am due to fly on the 17th March 2020. Can they do this? They are not answering and calls and say they wont reply to  mails.

Westin

£30?

What route is this?

Possible thoughts are;
(a) this was an error fare, it has been discovered, airline cancelled error fare bookings and new fare is at correct price. Nothing to do with corona covid19.
(b) flight schedules have been dramatically culled and on the remaining (one?) flight (from many on same day, same route) amalgamated and those seats left are in demand and revenue managed with a higher price.

If (b) then highly unusual for them to take the steps you describe. Existing reservations typically reprotected.

eDicky

https://www.swiss.com/gb/en/various/breaking-news

Existing bookings will be cancelled for the time being, but the ticket and ticket value will remain unchanged and can be rebooked to a new departure date up to and including 31 December 2020.

Voyager2002

Cancellation within three days of departure: EU261 should mean that they have an obligation to re-route you.

geoff_barnes

Thanks to those who replied after a long time on the phone i got through to the London office of Swiss Air and they confirmed that my booking is still live and it was poor wording of the advice to customers.