WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — United Airlines (UAL.O) said it will extend cancellations of all US flights to China through late April due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
With the announcement by Chicago-based United, all US passenger carriers flying to China have now cancelled flights into late April. Carriers say part of the reason is a dramatic drop-off in demand.
United said it was extending cancellations of flights to Hong Kong, which had been set to resume on Feb 21, and for flights to mainland China, that had been set to resume on March 28. Flights will resume starting April 24.
United normally operates roughly 12 flights per day from the United States to mainland China and Hong Kong.
American Airlines Group Inc (AAL.O), the largest U.S. carrier, said it was extending the suspension of its China and Hong Kong flights through April 24, amid reduced demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. The carrier had earlier suspended its China and Hong Kong flights until March 27.
The US government has placed new restrictions on travellers to the United States who have visited China, barring nearly all non-US residents if they have been in China within the last 14 days.
The United States is also limiting flights from China or other international flights with US passengers that have been to China within the previous 14 days to 11 major U.S. airports for enhanced screening. It requires a quarantine of US citizens who have recently visited Hubei province in China.
Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) previously suspended flights to China through April 30.
The outbreak is disrupting international travel demand. — NNN-AGENCIES