Hi sorry if I am posting this thread on the wrong part of the site, I'm a newbie.

I'm really hoping someone can help me. I'm enquiring on behalf of my parents who were meant to be flying to Cebu, Philippines via Hong Kong on the second week of January 2015, due to return in May of the same year. Both flights are with Cathay Pacific bought online and are stated as nonrefundable. However my dad has just this week been diagnosed with liver cancer and it looks like it's terminal. He will be unable to fly and my mum obviously needs to stay with him.

Would they be entitled to a refund due to the circumstances? I wanted to hear people's thoughts before I contact Cathay Pacific directly as I'm nervous about getting fobbed off/dismissed and not having a clue what our rights are.

I would be really grateful if anyone knows anything about this and/or has had a similar experience if they have any advice for me.

Many thanks

Louise