AFTERMATH II Attack in Brussels impacts airlines, travel sites, hotels

Posted on 03/23/2016 | About Brussels, Belgium

A ripple ran through the travel and lodging industry Tuesday following the deadly attacks in Belgium that killed dozens of people at the Brussels airport and in the city's subway. Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines cancelled or diverted all flights to and from Brussels, where the airport was closed and have issued rebooking policies for customers ticketed to fly to the city.

Many airlines are waiving rebooking fees for Brussels passengers in the wake of Tuesday’s attack and global carriers serving Brussels that had not already done so are likely consider doing the same.As for the waivers already in place, details vary by carrier. Generally, the rebooking policies let passengers make one change to their itineraries without paying the standard change fee or a recalculated fare.Regardless of the waivers, customers scheduled to fly to, from or through Brussels this week should be prepared for uncertainty and schedule disruptions.Security was tightened across Europe, just four months after co-ordinated attacks in Paris killed 130 people. Air travel and hotel bookings in Paris dipped in the aftermath.

But apprehension about travel, at least Tuesday, was global.“While the attacks took place in Brussels, it is likely to have an impact on European travel demand in general,” said Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth, in a note to clients, “The attacks come during peak Easter travel and ahead of peak summer travel.”Here's how stocks of travel companies fared in trading Tuesday:AIRLINES:Air Canada fell 2.29 percent to $8.95

American Airlines Group Inc. fell 1.6 percent to US $42.76.Delta Air Lines Inc. fell 1.5 percent to US $49.39.United Continental Holdings Inc. fell 1.1 percent to US $60.49.

Air France KLM SA down 4 percent at €8.09 ($11.84) HOTEL CHAINS:Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. fell less than 1 percent to $22.28.

Hyatt Hotels Corp. fell 2.1 percent to $48.80.Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC fell 2.7 percent to $39.63.Marriott International Inc. fell 1.9 percent to $70.92.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. fell less than 1 percent to $83.84.TRAVEL WEBSITES AND AGENCIES:Expedia Inc. down 1.8 percent to $108.92.

The Priceline Group Inc. down 2.3 percent to $1,319.41.

Ctrip.com International Ltd. down less than 1 percent to $44.87.TripAdvisor Inc. down 2.5 percent to $64.04.FRANCE TO UK TRAIN TUNNEL OPERATOR:Groupe Eurotunnel SE down 3.8 percent to €9.63 ($14.09)