- The Coronavirus outbreak has resulted in the death of at least 560 people, with the infection rate crossing 28,300 cases.
- Many airlines have taken preventative measures, temporarily suspending flights to mainland China.
- The following list shows which airlines have either suspended or reduced flights to China and will be updated as more information comes in.
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As the Coronavirus continues to spread globally, airlines have taken preventative measures to help reduce the spread by either suspending or reducing flights in and out of China. Some of those airlines are also focused on relief efforts to get stranded foreigners out of the China mainland.
Here are the airlines which have put protective measures in place. Feel free to comment or email us if we’ve missed any other airlines and if new updates arises so that the list can be updated.
Air Astana
Kazakhstan-based Air Astana has suspended flights to Urumqi and Beijing with effect from February 3, 2020 and will offer refunds to affected passengers. No information as been provided as to when they plan to resume operations. Flights to Hong Kong remain unaffected for now.
Air Canada
Air Canada has suspended all non-essential flights to mainland China until February 29, 2020 and will fully refund affected customers. The airline usually flies to both Beijing and Shanghai.
Air France
Air France has suspended all flights to mainland China until March 15, 2020 and will only operate select volunteer flights to assist in getting their passengers back home. Their Wuhan service will be suspended until March 28, 2020 though.
Air India
Air India has suspended flights to mainland China, and will suspend their Delhi-Hong Kong route effective February 8, 2020. The suspension will be effective until February 14, 2020.
Air KBZ
Myanmar-based airline is following in the footsteps of Myanmar Airways International and has suspended flights to mainland China and will not resume operations until February 29, 2020. Affected customers have been asked to contact the airline for further details regarding ticket changes and refunds.
Air Macau
The Macao-based airline has selectively cancelled flights to various parts of China on a day-by-day basis. At the moment, the best advice would be to keep checking their website for updates just in case you may be affected.
Air Madagascar
East African-based airline Air Madagascar has suspended all flights to the Chinese city of Guangzhou until March 1, 2020 and is asking passengers to contact the airline for further information. Ticket date changed and refunds are being facilitated with no attached penalty.
Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius has suspended direct flights to both Shanghai and Hong Kong until further notice, and advises customers to contact the airline regarding being rerouted through other hubs in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has suspended flights to Shanghai until March 29, 2020. The airline has urged affected travelers to contact them via social media and contact center channels, but advises that response times may be long given the situation. The airline is also operating a volunteer repatriation flight to Wuhan via Hong Kong to bring back as many passengers and permanent residents as possible on board one of their Boeing 777-200ERs.
Air Seoul
The South Korean-based airline has suspended all flights to China until further notice. The airline is offering full refunds for those affected. They have also given the option for date changes or refunds on tickets to Hong Kong even though there has not been any confirmation on the route being suspended just yet. Passengers with tickets for flights up to February 29, 2020 will be entitled to a one-time date change or full refund without penalty.
Air Tanzania
Following public pressure and advice from local authorities, Air Tanzania has discontinued flights to mainland China until further notice.
Alitalia (and other Italian airlines)
All Italian airlines have been temporarily banned from flying to China as part of a preventative measure put in place by the Italian government. There is no word yet as to when the decree will be discontinued.
American Airlines
American has updated their suspensions on February 11, 2020 as followsL
- Flights between DFW/LAX and the mainland China are suspended through April 24, 2020.
- Flights between DFW and Hong Kong (HKG) are suspended through April 23, 2020.
- Flights between LAX and HKG are suspended through April 24, 2020.
Customers advised to keep up to date with alerts and contact the airline regarding ticket changes or cancellations.
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
ANA has suspended operations to Wuhan, while flights to Beijing will be suspended from February 10, 2020. Both routes will remain suspended until March 28, 2020.
Asiana Airlines
Asiana has an extensive list of cancellations and flight reductions which are noted here. The airline also advises that there will be passenger restrictions depending on where you fly in from.
Austrian Airlines
Austrian initially suspended flights to mainland China until February 9, but has since pushed that dated to February 29 citing concerns by staff members, as well as seeing significantly reduced demands. Passengers affected are entitled to date changes or full refunds without penalty.
Beijing Capital Airlines
While Beijing Capital has not suspended any of its flights to China, the airlines is allowing voluntary ticket date changes with no penalty for those who booked before February 1, 2020 for travel dates up to June 30, 2020. No refunds are being issued at this time.
British Airways
BA has suspended operations to both Beijing and Shanghai destinations until April 1, 2020, offering the relevant date changes or refunds. Those traveling to Hong Kong up to February 29, 2020 are also entitled date changes or refunds even though the flights themselves have not been suspended.
Cambodia Airways
Cambodia has started cancellation of a number of its flights to mainland China and advise customers to contact the airline regarding date changes or refunds. They are also advising customers to keep tabs on the websites regarding any updates.
Cathay Pacific
With Cathay being Hong Kong based, they have been feeling the brunt of the whole situation. Cathay Dragon flights to mainland China have been suspended for two months, while Italy and the Philippines have actually blocked Cathay’s main line from flying in as they are enforcing restrictions on airlines flying in from Hong Kong and mainland China. Reports also indicate that Cathay may trim as much as 90% of its flights to mainland China as they weather out the biological storm.
Cebu Pacific
The Philippines-based airline has suspended operations to mainland China until March 29, 2020, while flights to Hong Kong and Macao will be cancelled until February 29, 2020.
China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Xiamen Airlines and EVA Air
Being Chinese-based airline, the tables have been turned where they are being barred from entering some international destinations. China Southern has discontinued flights its Wuhan based flights, but expects to resume service in March. The Chinese government has urged the three airlines to continue international service as they have started reducing service due to a reduced demand.
Delta Air Lines
Delta has cancelled its Beijing and Shanghai flights all the way until April 30, 2020 and is advising customers to contact the airline as soon as possible to arrange rebookings or refunds.
Eastar Jet
South-Korean based Easter Jet has cancelled a series of flights to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. The suspensions vary in time until March 1, 2020 and can be seen in detail on their website. Passengers are advised to contact the airline about cancellations or ticket changes as detail vary depending on the scenario.
EgyptAir
The Airline has suspended flights to mainland China until February 29, 2020, but did not give much details otherwise regarding ticket changes or refunds, but we suspect that should be accommodated without much issue.
El Al
Israel-based El Al has suspended flights to Beijing, China until March 25, 2020. However we were not able to ascertain any more information beyond this. Affected customers should contact the airline for further details.
Emirates
In response to measures set out by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Emirates has suspended service to Shanghai and Guangzhou until further notice and can contact the airline for information on how to get a refund or change date. The airline will not penalize customers for using either option.
Etihad
Like Emirates, Etihad is also following recommendations from the GCAA, suspending all flights to mainland China except via Beijing. All passengers travelling from Beijing International Airport will be required to undergo comprehensive medical screening at the airport to ensure the safety of passengers before boarding.
Finnair
The Finnish airline has suspended flights to Beijing and Shanghai up to February 29, 2020, while the suspension to Beijing Daxing, Nanjing and Guangzhou will last until March 29, 2020. Those traveling to Hong Kong remain unaffected for the moment.
Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air (and other Indonesian airlines)
New sources indicate that Garuda Indonesia will cease operations to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou and Xi’an. This comes after the Indonesian government put a ban on flights to mainland China as a preventative measure. Flights to Hong Kong are still operational but under strict supervision. The policy also affects Lion Air and other Indonesian carriers flying to mainland China.
Himalaya Airlines
The Nepalese airline has suspended most of their flights to China, and had advised customers to contact the airline or booking agents for information on date changes or refunds.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines has discontinued service to mainland China up to February 11, 2020 (dates vary depending on destination). The airline also has a number of restrictive measures which need to be followed as they try to assist in the prevention of the spread of the virus. The Philippines have also restricted flights from Hong Kong and mainland China until March 28, 2020, effectively forcing suspension on the part of Hong Kong Airlines for that particular route.
Iberia
The Spanish airline announced discontinuation of service to Shanghai throughout the month of February, as the airline anticipates further spread of the virus.
IndiGo
In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, IndiGo has suspended flights to its lone Chinese city of Chengdu until February 20, 2020.
Japan Airlines
JAL will start suspension of some flights to Beijing and Shanghai from February 6, 2020. Most of the remaining flights will be cut from February 17 until March 28 or 29, 2020 depending on the flight number. More details about this can be seen here. Unlike most other carriers, the measures seem to be strictly in response to the sudden decline in travel of the month of February into March.
JetStar Asia
Singapore-based JetStar has suspended service to Hefei, Guiyang, Xuzhou, and will not resume flights until May 31, 2020. The airline would have informed customers via text message and/or email. Flights to Shantou and Haikou will be suspended on February 7 and 8 respectively while Hong Kong service will be suspended from the February 14.
Kenya Airways
Kenya has suspended flights to mainland China until further notice, and is advising customers to contact the airline for information on ticket changes or refunds.
KLM
The Dutch airline has suspended flights to Beijing and Shanghai until March 15, 2020 while flights to Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Xiamen will remain suspended until March 29, 2020.
Korean Air
The airline has suspended flights to a number of Chinese destinations until March 28, 2020 and reduced service to other cities. Their website has a full break down, and they advise customers to contact them regarding changes or refunds.
LOT Polish
LOT has suspended flights to Beijing until February 9, 2020 and will re-assess the situation accordingly.
Lufthansa
The Lufthansa group has cancelled flights to Beijing and Shanghai until February 29, 2020 while flights to Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao are suspended until March 28, 2020.
Myanmar Airways International
As mentioned earlier, on advice of local authorities, the airline will no longer fly to mainland China until February 29, 2020. Affected customers have been asked to contact the airline for further details regarding ticket changes and refunds.
Oman Air
Oman Air has suspended flights to mainland China until further notice.
Philippine Airlines
The airline has been forced to suspend flights to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao as a result of directives issued by the Philippine government. The restriction is set until February 29, 2020. Fees are being waived for date changes or refunds.
Qantas
The Australian airline has announced that direct flights to both Beijing and Shanghai will be suspended until March 29, 2020.
Qatar Airways
Qatar has suspended flights to mainland China until further notice and will be working with customers to issue refunds or change ticket dates with fees being waived.
Royal Air Maroc
The Moroccan airline has suspended flights to Beijing until further notice, but there is no other information available at this time. Affected customers should contact the airline for further assistance.
Rwandair
The airline suspended flights to Guangzhou, and will review the situation later in February. Affected passengers will be re-routed, refunded or allowed to change their tickets to a later date.
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Flights to Shanghai and Beijing have been cancelled until February 29, 2020 Ticket sales to these two destinations have been blocked until March 15, 2020. Passengers flying to Hong Kong are unaffected for the moment.
Saudia
Saudia has suspended flights to mainland China until further notice, and is asking its affected customers to contact the airline for a refund or date change, with penalties being waived.
SCAT
Like Air Astana, SCAT has also suspended flights to mainland China as per a directive issued by the Kazakhstan government blocking all forms between the two countries.
Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot
The Singapore Airlines group has both suspended and reduced flights on its route network to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Please see this link for Singapore and Silk Air cancellations/reductions and this link for Scoot.
SkyUp Airlines
The Ukraine charter airline which operates charter flights for the JoinUp! tour group has suspended its summer flights until March 28, 2020.
SWISS
The Lufthansa group has cancelled flights to Beijing and Shanghai until February 29, 2020 while flights to Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao are suspended until March 28, 2020.
Thai Airways
Thai will be suspending flights to various mainland China destinations as per the following schedule. The situation will be reviewed at the end of February 2020 and passengers are advised to contact the airline in the interim to arrange for date changes or refunds.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has suspended all flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Xi’an until the end of February 2020. Affected customers are asked to contact the airline for further information.
Turkmenistan Airlines
Like the others, the airline has cancelled its flights to Beijing until further notice. The airline has also organized repatriation flights to China to get passengers and nationals back to Turkmenistan.
Ukraine International Airlines
UIA which operates charter flights to Hainan Island has suspended service to the island until February 24, 2020 and only operated necessary flights to help return passengers back to Ukraine.
United Airlines
United has suspended flights to mainland China and Hong Kong until April 24, 2020 in response to the outbreak.
Ural Airlines
Ural, which also flies to Hainan Island, has suspended flights indefinitely and is waiting for “normalization” of the situation before resuming operations. Customers will be entitled to refunds or date changes.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has suspended service until March 29, 2020. However the airline is offering a very flexible ticket change or refund policy, allowing changes to tickets to those traveling to Hong Kong as well.
[Featured Photo: 3dman_eu/Pixabay]
