Airlines not planning special flu measures

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- U.S airlines say they'll rely on long-standing policies rather than impose new measures to deal with an expected outbreak of swine flu this fall.

The carriers aren't planning to institute such measures as banning people with symptoms from boarding planes or refunding fares for flights that are canceled because of the H1N1 virus, USA Today reported Tuesday.

"We do definitely reserve that right to take a look at someone, and if they exhibit signs of having a communicable disease and flying is not in their best interest, we can definitely take them off and get them the medical care that they need," Southwest Airlines spokesman Paul Flaningan told the newspaper.

"We're going to proceed with our normal policies, and if the situation were to change drastically then we'd have to examine that," said Christopher White, spokesman for AirTran Airways.

The Air Transport Association said the swine flu has already affected the struggling airline industry, which cut its flights to Mexico in half earlier this year. USA Today said Delta Airlines lost $125 million to $150 million in the second quarter due to the H1N1 virus.