United, American end Hong Kong flights

United Airlines and American Airlines are both halting flights to Hong Kong as demand for travel to Greater China takes a nosedive.

They are postponing all services until at least February 20.

Both had already stopped flying to the mainland, as the coronavirus death toll continues to climb to more than 500.

American has ended flying to Hong Kong immediately while United’s last Hong Kong flight will be on Saturday.

The first coronavirus death – and only the second outside mainland China – was reported this week in Hong Kong.

Since late December more than 25,000 people have been infected.

The Hong Kong market had already been in the doldrums after months of pro-democracy protests.

Hong-Kong based Cathay Pacific has been affected more severely than most, and this week said it will ask its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave to cut costs.