MIDDLE EAST: Passengers flying to or from the Middle East with China Southern Airlines may now change or refund certain tickets without penalties after the airline adjusted its special ticket handling policy amid regional safety concerns.
The airline said the temporary policy is meant to help travelers manage their plans more easily while the situation in the region continues to evolve.
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Which tickets qualify under the special policy
The updated rules apply to tickets issued with the airline’s ticket number beginning with “784” that were purchased or exchanged on or before 3:00 p.m. on March 10, 2026 Beijing time.
The policy covers unused itineraries involving flights operated by China Southern Airlines or codeshare flights with a “CZ” flight number.
Eligible routes include flights arriving at or departing from:
• Dubai
• Riyadh
• Tehran
• Doha
This also applies to stopover flights connected to these destinations.
Flights scheduled between February 28, 2026 and May 31, 2026 fall under the policy.
One free ticket change allowed
Passengers who cancel their confirmed seats before departure can change their tickets during the validity period.
The first change to another China Southern operated flight within the affected Middle East route network will not incur a change fee.
However, passengers may still need to pay any difference in fare depending on the new ticket price.
Additional changes beyond the first will follow the standard ticket conditions.
Refunds allowed without penalty
Passengers who decide not to travel may apply for a refund within the ticket’s validity period without paying a refund fee.
If the ticket was already changed using the special policy, any refund request will be handled based on the ticket’s original conditions.
Other matters not covered by the announcement will follow the ticket’s standard terms of use.
Airline also updates Middle East flight schedule
Alongside the ticket policy adjustments, China Southern Airlines announced an updated flight schedule for some Middle East routes from March 10 to March 31.
The airline said the following routes will continue operating during this period:
• Guangzhou – Dubai (CZ383, CZ384)
• Guangzhou – Riyadh (CZ375, CZ376)
• Shenzhen – Riyadh (CZ5007, CZ5008)
Passengers were reminded that all departure and arrival times are listed in local time.
The airline also noted that flight schedules and aircraft types may change without prior notice depending on operational requirements.
Travelers are encouraged to check the latest flight information through the airline’s official website or mobile application before departure.
What travelers should know
Passengers who need assistance with ticket changes or refunds may contact China Southern Airlines through its service hotline at 95539 within China or +86-4008695539 for overseas calls.
The airline said it will continue to monitor developments in the region and adjust its operations when necessary to ensure safe and smooth travel for passengers.