Coronavirus: American Airlines pulls plug on flights to Hong Kong from Dallas, Los Angeles until February 20 ‘due to demand’
- The airline had earlier halted flights between the US and mainland China, a ban that is to last until March 27
- The move follows the US State Department issuing travel advisory urging people to avoid travel to China
The giant US carrier’s decision came as Hong Kong on Tuesday confirmed its 18th case of the new coronavirus and recorded its first death in the outbreak, which was believed to have originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and has spread to more than 20 countries.
According to a statement by the Texas-based carrier, the suspension will last until February 20, affecting flights to Hong Kong from both Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles.
The decision was made “due to demand”, according to spokesman Ross Feinstein.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make any updates as needed.”
Earlier, the airline cancelled all flights between mainland China and the United States, with the suspension expected to last until March 27.
The US State Department last Thursday issued its highest travel advisory, urging people to avoid travel to China.
So far, more than 30 global airlines have halted flights to and from mainland China as coronavirus infections continue to soar. Although most flights to Hong Kong have not been affected, some countries and airlines have introduced bans.
Italy suspended all flights from China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, until April 28.
The Philippines widened a travel ban previously imposed on visitors from Hubei province, centre of the outbreak, to cover all of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, while prohibiting Filipinos from travelling to those areas.
AirAsia Philippines said it was no longer offering flights to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau and that the measure would be in place until March 1.
Air India will suspend its New Delhi-Hong Kong service from Saturday after it earlier halted flights to Shanghai.
The World Health Organisation has so far said that such limits on trade and travel are not needed to control the spread of the virus.
