Singapore Airlines has cancelled all flights between Singapore and Milan from March 8, and between Singapore and Rome from March 14, until 31 May 2020, "due to the coronavirus emergency in Italy and due to the restrictions imposed by the Singapore government," a Singapore Airlines spokesman told SBS Italian.
Emirates announced on Thursday that it's suspending all flights to Italy from Dubai at least until April 3, 2020.
"Venice, Milan, Bologna and Rome flights are being suspended starting from March 12, 13, and 14, 2020 respectively," Emirates said in a statement.
"The final Italy-bound flight would take place on March 15".
Highlights
- Airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Etihad have suspended flights to many destinations in Italy
- Department of Home Affairs says people affected by flight cancellations can apply for visa extensions
- Italy has closed 23 of its domestic and international airports until 25 March
Italian-Australian Roberto Battiston's mother and brother who came to visit him in January this year, are caught up in the situation. They were scheduled to fly back on March 11 by an Emirates flight.
"Even thirty hours before the scheduled take-off, we did not receive any confirmation," Mr Battiston said. "I rang the Emirates office in Italy and they said they were having technical problems".
He managed to book a flight back to Italy for his mother on 7 April, just four days before her visa expires on 11 April.
Emirates covered the rebooking fee.
The possibility of having his mother's visa run out is something that Roberto really wanted to avoid.
"My mother is 83 and even just getting travel insurance for her for more than two months was really complicated".
Another Italian national, Assunta Abbona arrived in Australia three months ago to visit her children and her visa is running out.
"I was supposed to leave next week. Unfortunately they have cancelled the flight and booked me in on a flight on 6 April," Ms Abbona said.
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Twenty-three airports are now closed in Italy. Source: AAP
There are many such people caught up in flight cancellations and looming visa deadlines, not knowing how to avoid being without a visa in Australia.
SBS Italian reached out to the Department of Home Affairs and asked how people caught up in the coronavirus travel disruptions can avoid breaching Australia's immigration law.
"If visa holders wish to remain in Australia beyond the expiry date of their current visa, they must apply for a further visa," a spokesman for the Home Affairs Department said.
"Visa holders should explore their visa options to find a new visa that suits their circumstances and check whether they can apply for it," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said an application must be made before the current visa expires.
"In this case they may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa, which will keep them lawful in Australia until a decision is made on the visa application," the spokesperson explained.
"If their current visa includes a ‘No Further Stay’ condition, they are unable to make a valid application for most other visas while they are in Australia.
"If they wish to remain in Australia beyond their visa’s expiry date, a request to waive this condition must be made," the spokesperson added.
Information on how to request a waiver can be found here:
It's possible to apply for a new visa is the current visa is running out and flying back home has been delayed due to the coronavirus travel chaos. Source: SBS
More than half of Italy's airports now closed
By the latest decree on Friday, the Italian government announced the closure of 23 Italian airports, until 25 March.
Not only domestic airports have been closed, but also some international ones, such Milano Linate and Bergamo-Orio al Serio, two very important hubs in the Lombardy region.
The second biggest airport in Rome, Ciampino, has also been closed to the public and will remain available only for government flights, organ transport and emergency services, the Italian government said.
Milan Malpensa will move operations to Terminal 2, closing T1, while Rome Fiumicino will close Terminal 1.
Qatar Airways had on the 4th March already cancelled flights from Doha to Venice and Pisa and reduced Milan Malpensa and Rome flights from three to one per day.
In regards to rebooking fees, most airlines will cover the costs.
"Ticketing fees for re-booking or re-routing will be waived for all Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot destinations. Rebooked travel must be completed by 31 March 2021," a Singapore Airlines spokesperson said.
