Concern over the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in airlines prolonging its suspension of flights to China.
Lufthansa Group has now decided to cancel the flights of Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines to China (Beijing and Shanghai) until the end of the winter timetable on 28 March. Initially they had been suspended until 29 February. Flights to Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao had already been suspended until the end of the winter timetable.
Due to the current demand situation for flights to and from Hong Kong, slight capacity adjustments will be made: For Lufthansa, some flights will be cancelled. SWISS will be using smaller aircraft on its flights to and from Hong Kong in March.
Due to the situation in China regarding the Coronavirus SAS has decided to prolong the period for suspending its flights, to and from Shanghai and Beijing, until March 29. Hong Kong will be serviced as scheduled, and SAS will continue to monitor the situation in close dialogue with authorities. Customers traveling to, from or via Hong Kong may voluntary change their reservation or request a refund. Refunds and rebooking possibilities are offered for affected passengers.
United Airlines is following the lead of fellow U.S. carriers Delta and American Airlines in suspending service to China through April. Prior to Wednesday’s update, United Airlines had suspended its flights to China through March 28.
British Airways has extended its suspension of flights to mainland China until April. British Airways has cancelled one of its two daily flights to Hong Kong between February 13 and March 31 this year.
SAS has extended its suspension of flights to Beijing and Shanghai until March 29th. Initially, SAS announced that all flights to Shanghai and Beijing had been suspended until February 9th. This was later extended until February 29th and now until the end of March. HKG is operated according to normal schedule.
Polish Airlines LOT decided to prolong the suspension of all flights between Warsaw and Beijing until 28 March 2020.
Aeroflot is introducing temporary changes to its flight schedule to Chinese destinations. Between February 18 and 29 and between March 1 and 28 Aeroflot is suspending some Beijing and Shanghai flights. Between February 17 and 29 Aeroflot is reducing flight frequencies for SU220/221 flights between Sheremetyevo and Guangzhou.
