Airlines Give Waivers Amid Disease Fears

Airlines serving transatlantic routes are moving to soothe passenger jitters over Europe’s outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease amid travel industry concern that the livestock disaster might hurt summer bookings.

Though airlines serving Britain and Ireland said they had not felt a major impact on ticket sales, some carriers have waived cancellation fees charged to customers, cut prices and even taken some meats off in-flight menus.

United Airlines parent UAL, Northwest Airlines and British Airways have waived fees for changing or canceling travel plans, depending on the circumstances.

A Northwest spokesman said the waivers came after some passengers requested delays in their travel to Britain due to concern about the outbreak.