Local police reroute motorists at a highway crossing in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province on Wednesday. Shijiazhuang launched comprehensive nucleic acid testing on its residents. Photo: cnsphoto

China United Airlines and Spring Airlines have issued guidance on free refunds and reschedules for flights to and from Beijing and Shijiazhuang, North China's Hebei Province, in response to the growing number of requests from travelers due to local COVID-19 flare-ups.

Passengers who bought tickets departing from or arriving in Shijiazhuang before January 4, and whose travel dates fall between January 4 and 18, are allowed to have their flight dates changed or refunded for free, according to an announcement by China United Airlines on Sunday. 

Travelers with tickets that meet the conditions are allowed one free rescheduling to flights seven days before or after the original flights, or any others before June 30. However, they cannot reschedule to dates between January 27 and March 8, according to the announcement. 

Passengers can also refund their tickets for free, and since the epidemic prevention and control measures came into effect on January 4, any refund fees from that date can be reimbursed. 

With regard to Beijing, China United Airlines has rolled out new regulations that support the initiatives of the Beijing municipal government encouraging residents to stay in the city during the Spring Festival holidays and reduce passenger flow. 

Flight tickets bought before January 5 for travel between January 17 and February 28 to or from Beijing are entitled to free refunds or one rescheduling, the airline stated. 

It can be changed to flights seven days before or after the original date, or anything before March 27, not including dates between January 27 and March 8. 

Similar to the regulations of flights to and from Shijiazhuang, Beijing flights are also entitled to free refunds if they meet the requirements.

Earlier on Friday, Spring Airlines, another major airline that serves North China, offered travelers going to or from Shijiazhuang free refunds and rescheduling if they meet the relevant conditions.