NEW YORK, April 26 (Reuters) - Several major U.S. airlines are allowing customers to change travel plans to Mexico without any fee or penalty after a swine flu outbreak, but they said on Sunday there had been no flight cancellations so far.
AMR Corp's American Airlines, Continental Airlines Inc and US Airways Group Inc all said they had received some inquiries and were letting customers change travel plans.
"We have had a few calls from customers but not huge numbers of them seeking changes or information so far," said American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith. "We are told that authorities in Mexico are closely monitoring passengers who are leaving as they go through security as well."
In Detroit, cargo carrier FedEx Corp said it will adhere to any guidelines or restrictions put in place by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
"We are watching this situation very closely and our first priority is the safety of our employees and the general public," said FedEx spokeswoman Sandra Munoz.
Fears of a global swine flu pandemic have grown with new infections in the United States and Canada, and millions of Mexicans stayed indoors to avoid a virus that has killed up to 81 people. The only deaths have been in Mexico, but the flu has spread with 20 cases in the United States, six in Canada, and possible cases in Europe and New Zealand.
The Centers for Disease Control has asked U.S. airlines to continue standard policies for identifying, reporting and managing communicable diseases for passengers arriving in the United States. No additional screening has been proposed or required at this time, according to the trade group representing major U.S. airlines.
The CDC has issued precautions about traveling to Mexico but has not recommended that people avoid going there. Some airlines have put in place flexible travel schedules or policies that allow passengers to rebook flights. (Reporting by Paritosh Bansal in New York and John Crawley in Washington)