Airlines slash flights, freeze hiring as virus cuts travel Airlines are slashing flights and freezing hiring as they experience a sharp drop in bookings and a rise in cancellations in the face of the spreading coronavirusAirlines are slashing flights, freezing hiring and parking planes to cope with a stunning drop in bookings and a rise in cancellations caused by fear over the new virus outbreak. United Airlines expects to lose money in the first quarter for the first time in six years. It will cut international flights by 20% to 25% and reduce U.S. flying by 10% to 15%, roughly matching cuts previously announced by United Airlines. American Airlines announced it will cut international flying by 10% this summer and reduce U.S. flying by 7.5% in April. The same group said the terror attacks in 2001, which devastated the U.S. airline industry but had less impact overseas, cut revenue by about $20 billion.

Source: ABC News March 10, 2020 14:37 UTC