United cancels some China flights
United Airlines is cancelling some flights to Greater China starting this weekend in response to plunging travel demand.
United cites a ‘significant decline’ in demand over coronavirus concerns.
It becomes the first major US carrier to suspend services.
It is suspending o total of 24 flights between its US hubs and Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai between February 1 and February 8.
"We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and will adjust our schedule as needed," the airline said.
It affects departures from San Francisco, Newark Liberty, Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles.
United usually operates up to a dozen flights a day to Mainland China and Hong Kong.
The move has been backed by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
"This is the right proactive approach in times like these. We appreciate United’s continued work with our union to mitigate risk during this outbreak," the union said in a statement.
United has been waiving change fees for customers putting off travel to Beijing and Shanghai.
Delta and American Airlines has similar waivers valid through the end of February.
The US is advising Americans to avoid travel to China and has repatriated US nationals from the city of Wuhan where the coronavirus originated.
More than 100 people have died so far from the Sars-like virus strain.
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