Categories: Stories

The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Forcing Airlines To Consider Halting U.S. Flights

ADVERTISEMENT

The coronavirus outbreak is seemingly putting everyone’s lives at a temporary halt. With schools, restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, and more shutting down “indefinitely,” flights are now also on the brink of a halt. U.S. airlines are currently playing around with the idea of halting their flights concerning domestic air travel. This is due to the fact air travel is obviously down due to people self-quarantining. While it is not certain if they will take this action, they’ve done it before in other situations. The last time a blanket air travel ban was set in place was after the 9/11 terror attacks took place.

President Donald Trump already issued a 30-day travel ban from Europe to the U.S. and vice versa. Despite any travel bans, airlines are doing everything they can to not have to resort to this option. And, of course, such cuts would harshly affect the economy. Airlines do expect to receive some sort of government support, but nothing is clear yet. Executives warn that the current drop in demand is more severe than after 9/11.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many airlines are considering halting their flights if they haven’t already

Delta flight / Image via AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz and President, Scott Kirby, is keeping things transparent with his employees. “We are working night and day on support and ideas to keep as much pay as we possibly can flowing to you — even if [it] gets worse from here and demand temporarily plummets to zero.”

ADVERTISEMENT

RELATED: It’s True, Airlines Do Make Flights Longer On Purpose

United admits that they expect March revenue to be $1.5 billion lower than a year earlier. This will slash capacity by 50% in April and May, a big and concerning drop. They’re already in talks with unions on how to reduce payroll expenses. “We took early, aggressive action because we have been determined to do everything possible to avoid painful steps that affect your paycheck,” United executives write. “But, based on the severity of the situation, that no longer appears realistic.”

Large percentages of worrisome drops

United Airlines employee / Live and Let’s Fly

Moreover, American Airlines plans to slash its international flying by 75% to May 6th. This will cut domestic capacity by 20% in April from a year earlier and by 30% in May. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told employees that the company would cut capacity by 40% in the coming months, which is the largest cut in its history.

“The speed of the demand fall-off is unlike anything we’ve seen — and we’ve seen a lot in our business. We are moving quickly to preserve cash and protect our company,” Bastian writes. “We are in discussions with the White House and Congress regarding the support they can provide to help us through this period. I’m optimistic we will receive their support. That said, the form and value is unpredictable, and we can’t put our company’s future at risk waiting on aid from our government.”

American Airlines flight / The Verge

This isn’t just affecting U.S. flights, it’s affecting international flights as well. CNBC reports, “British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group said they will cut capacity by at least 75% from 2019 levels in April and May.” Furthermore, Austrian Airlines has suspended its entire schedule because of entry bans due to the coronavirus. Scandinavian carrier SAS will stop most of its flights and lay off 90% of its staff.

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

test

test

4 years ago

‘The Little Rascals’: The ‘Our Gang Curse’ That May Have Haunted the Cast Throughout the Years

Hollywood “curses” are a strange thing as people tend to look at the collective deaths…

4 years ago

Florida Man Pays Utility Bills For Over 100 Families For Second Christmas In A Row

74-year-old Michael Esmond is putting on the Santa Claus gear this year once again as…

4 years ago

Orlando PD Donates Christmas Gifts To More Than 200 Kids In Need

Police officers from Orlando, FL donated and delivered Christmas gifts to more than 200 kids…

4 years ago

The 1965 Kecksburg Incident: What Fell Over Pennsylvania?

On December 9, 1965, a blue-tinged fireball streaked across the sky over Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. However,…

4 years ago

Why The Pandemic Helped Bring Back Sunday Family Dinners

Over years, less emphasis ended up placed on traditional Sunday family dinners. In those times,…

4 years ago