The breadth of the pullback reflects the scale of the challenge for airlines in the region. What started as a largely Chinese problem has since spread to Southeast Asia’s biggest markets as the outbreak takes hold in transit hubs like Singapore. Qantas said there’s now even weakness on routes in Australia, and the airline is trimming capacity at home by 2.3% to the end of June.
(Feb 20): Qantas Airways Ltd. is slashing flights in Asia and freezing recruitment in response to falling demand as the coronavirus scares travelers across the region.
Capacity reductions of 15%, which will be in place until at least the end of May, affect services to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Thailand, the Australian airline said in a statement Thursday. Flights to New Zealand will also be cut by 5%.
