Coronavirus Travel: Two Major Airlines Cut Additional Flights Amid Outbreak

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are planning to cut additional flights, as the coronavirus outbreak has caused a drop in demand.

Delta plans to suspend international routes to destinations in Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. American Airlines plans to cut 80% of its capacity in May, after cutting 60% of its capacity for April, compared to the same time periods last year.

Although these airlines are cutting flights, the companies are promising more flexibility for customers. American has promised to waive change fees on flight tickets which were purchased before April 15. Delta will waive all change fees for all flights booked during the month of March and April 15.

The coronavirus has devastated the airline industry, causing mass layoffs and grounded planes due to the drop in bookings.

U.S.-based airlines will receive about $58 billion as part of the stimulus package signed into law this week, which is intended to keep these companies afloat amid the pandemic. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told CNN that he expects his company will receive “about $12 billion” from the package.

The coronavirus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has spread across the globe, with the World Health Organization defining the virus as a “pandemic.” The virus has disrupted international commerce, as countries shut down to prevent the spread of the disease.

The United States currently has 124,534 cases as of Sunday at 10:55 a.m. ET. The domestic death toll is 2,188.