Air Canada extends flight suspension to Chinese cities, citing virus

Air Canada announced Tuesday it is extending its suspension of flights between Canada and the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai until April 10 due to the new coronavirus epidemic.

Flights from Canada to the two cities had been temporarily suspended from January 30 to the end of February after the foreign ministry advised Canadians against non-essential travel to China in light of the virus's rapid spread there.

The Air Canada website says the company and health authorities "will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely" and "will adjust its schedule as appropriate."

The airline usually offers direct flights from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Beijing and Shanghai.

And the company also extended the suspension of daily flights to Hong Kong from Toronto until April 30, citing "reduced market demand."

Flights to and from Taipei "remain unaffected," according to the company's website.

Air Canada estimated that its first quarter net profit would be approximately Can$200 million (138 million euros) less than in the same period the previous year, thanks to coronavirus travel restrictions and the recall of Boeing 737MAX planes.

COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the novel coronavirus infection -- has killed more than 2,600 people and infected almost 80,000 others, mainly in China, according to the World Health Organization. There have been 11 cases confirmed in Canada.

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Asia-Pacific airlines could lose $27.8 bn to coronavirus: IATA
Paris (AFP) Feb 21, 2020
Airlines operating in the Asia-Pacific region stand to lose a combined $27.8 billion of revenue this year in the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the International Air Transport Association said on Thursday. The estimate is based on projections of a 13-percent full-year decline in passenger demand, mostly in China, the trade body said. "This will be a very tough year for airlines," IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement. "Stopping the spread of the virus is the top priority." IATA said ... read more