Frances Protests Are Disrupting Tourism. So Why Wont Airlines Let Travelers Change Their Plans?

French cities have been rocked by protestors over the last two weekends, and the country’s tourism sector is now starting to feel the impacts of the demonstrations. The scenes of looting, clashes with police, and property damage have received widespread attention around the world.

So why are U.S. airlines not issuing flexibility waivers for travelers who might wish to reschedule their trips, particularly now that some recent demonstrations in Paris and Marseille have turned violent, major attractions like Paris’s Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Opera have suspended operations on protest days, and many shops have boarded up their storefronts as protection against vandalism and looting?

Airlines tend to offer waivers for flight changes only when an event is expected to impact airline operations, not the attractiveness of a destination to travelers. Thus far, the protests have largely been contained to city centers, and airline operations at airports have not been affected. U.S. and other airlines have been able to operate their full schedules at French airports without impediment.

It’s also worth noting that the U.S. State Department has issued a warning to Americans that protests are planned and some local governments have implemented curfews, the State Department has not revised its current warning level for France or particular cities or regions in France due to the planned protests. The State Department’s warning level for France remains at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The State Department anticipates impacts to the country’s road and rail networks, but not to airports or airline operations. French airports have been operating their normal schedules, both for French domestic and international departures.

The U.S. Embassy in Paris advises that: “Violence and rioting, tied to ongoing protests, have recently occurred in France and may continue. The French government has indicated they will take steps to curb ‘illegitimate’ protests, while those organized by groups such as trade unions would be allowed to proceed. Given the heightened concerns, avoid demonstrations and areas of unrest. Stay away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity.”

The State Department further noted that: “Recent demonstrations were violent and involved heavy property destruction, uncontrolled looting, and attacks on police. Police responded with crowd control methods including tear gas.”

The Embassy advises that Americans in France should avoid areas of demonstrations, exercise caution if they happen upon a protest or large gathering, and check social media for the locations and times of any planned demonstrations or protests. Travelers should also check French media sites and local rail and transit websites for any planned station or line closures or disruptions related to the protests.

Travel insurers also do not typically cover cancellations related to civil unrest unless travelers purchase a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy or rider. CFAR policies allow travelers to cancel for a wider range of reasons than the narrowly-defined ones in standard insurance and recoup some of their prepaid expenses.

At the time of this writing, no U.S. carrier has issued a flexibility waiver for flights to or from France. Korean Air and subsidiary Asiana Airlines are the only two airlines that have issued flexibility policies for passengers who purchased tickets to France before October 21.

More than 400,000 people protested in France last weekend, joining a movement that began earlier in October as students took to the streets to protest the high cost of living and budget cuts to public services including schools. More than 1,300 protestors were arrested in cities across the country, and 53 police officers were hurt in clashes with protestors over the weekend. France’s Interior Ministry said that police responded to 75 fires, and 24 shops have reported looting.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday ruled out declaring a state of emergency related to the protests, but said that it wasn’t off the table should the protests continue violently.