We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, and authorities around the world are taking drastic measures in the hope that they will be able to stop the spread of the virus. Many countries have announced the closure of borders for foreigners, closed bars, clubs, restaurants, public catering establishments, shops, tourist attractions and urges citizens to stay in their homes.
All these measures have hit tourism and transport in full, especially air passenger transport. The low demand for air tickets, the fear of the passengers of the new coronavirus, but also the government regulations imposed have resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights, and some airlines have chosen to suspend the entire activity. Below you have the list of 53 airlines, which have temporarily suspended or canceled most of the flights within the next 14 days.
List of companies with canceled flights or suspended activity
The Company
Following Donald Trump's announcement, most airlines have adjusted their operational schedule. Including La Compagnie, a French airline with premium services, announced the adjustment of the program until March 18th. And from March 19, At Compagnie it will suspend all flights to the United States of America.
Following the expiration of the ban, on April 12, La Compagnie will resume flights between Paris and New York. The opening of the Nice-New York route, originally scheduled for May 1, 2020, was postponed to June 1, 2020.
LOT Polish Airlines
The Polish government has announced that it "closes the borders" for all foreigners who want to reach or transit Poland. Only Polish citizens will be able to enter Poland, but they will have to be quarantined for 14 days.
Following the decision of the Polish Government to suspend international air traffic, which was caused by the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, LOT suspends all international flights for 10 days.
airBaltic
The Government of the Republic of Latvia has taken a tough decision on security measures in the fight with the new Coronavirus. Thus, from March 17, international air traffic will be suspended.
All airBaltic flights will be temporarily suspended from March 17 to April 14, 2020 inclusive. All airBaltic operations in Estonia and Lithuania will also be suspended.
Austrian Airlines
Starting with 19 March 2020, Austrian Airlines suspends all flights. Initially, they will be canceled until March 28, but with the possibility of extending the period. The last flight will be operated on the Chicago - Vienna route, indicative OS066. It will land at 08:20 in the Austrian capital.
This decision comes from the travel restrictions imposed by most countries, with the aim of limiting the spread of the new virus.
Brussels Airlines
Following the pandemic with Covid-19, which encompassed the entire planet, Brussels Airlines has decided to suspend all commercial flights, between March 21 and April 19. Brussels Airlines will gradually reduce its flight schedule later this week, to a complete temporary suspension of flights until this Saturday.
Given the extraordinary circumstances caused by the worldwide Coronavirus crisis, Brussels Airlines has decided to temporarily suspend its flight operations starting March 21, 2020. Until then, the flight operations of Brussels Airlines will be gradually reduced, controlled and structured for to bring passengers and crews home.
Blue Air
Following the decree issued by the President of Romania, which installs the state of emergency throughout the territory of Romania until April 14 inclusive, Blue Air suspends its regular flights starting March 21st and until the end of the period when the state of emergency is active.
Flyone
Pursuant to the Operational Directive of the Civil Aviation Authority No. 03 - 15/03/2020 on the establishment of air traffic restrictions in the context of the pandemic with the new Coronavirus, as well as under the Decision of the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission no. 9 din 15.03.2020 (see here directive), the airline FLYONE informs that all flights will be suspended during March 17, 2020 - March 31, 2020.
Air Moldova
Based on the decision of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, the airline Air Moldova suspends all flights, from March 17, 2020, hours 00:00 - until April 1, 2020 (with the probability of extending the restrictions).
THE AL
During the 2 weeks, EL AL has announced that it will reduce operational activity by up to 90%. From March 16 until March 28, 2020, EL AL will only fly to Johannesburg, London Heathrow, Newark, New York JFK, Paris CDG and Toronto.
Turkish Airlines
Because of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) in Europe, Turkish Airlines flights to Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands are suspended until April 17.
Turkish Airlines will continue to monitor the evolution of the pandemic with the new Coronavirus in Europe and globally. Maintains links with national and international health authorities and will take appropriate precautions.
TAROM
Romania's national company - TAROM has announced that it will decrease its activity after March 21, 2020. Until then, TAROM will operate as normal as possible, given the restrictions imposed by certain countries, on domestic and international routes.
TAROM has always been about people. That is why, even in these difficult moments, your safety and that of those around you are the priority of the Company.
Qantas
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced that he has decided to ban the access of all foreign nationals who are not resident in the country. Morrison argues that the measure was taken because most cases of coronavirus infection came from abroad. Australia has so far reported about 600 cases of coronavirus infection.
This decision leads to suspension of all international flights operated by Qantas and Jetstar Airways, which were scheduled for the end of March. Scheduled international flights will continue until the end of March to help repatriate Australians, then be suspended until at least the end of May 2020.
RYANAIR
Due to the pandemic with the new coronavirus, European states have made drastic decisions to stop the spread of COVID-19. Among the measures taken are those that close the borders and suspend flights between states.
These travel restrictions have led to a decrease in passenger air traffic, a suspension of routes and even a suspension of the activities of some airlines. In this context, Starting March 19, RYANAIR will cancel approximately 80% of flights. The decision also applies to Lauda, Buzz Air and Malta Air.
Wizz Air
Inevitably, Wizz Air was also affected by the pandemic with the new coronavirus. It canceled a large part of the flights operated from / to destinations in Romania. Wizz Air cancels flights to Dubai (Bucharest - Dubai and Cluj - Dubai). Wizz Air suspends flights Romania - Spain. Wizz Air suspends all flights from Poland. Wizz Air canceled all flights between Romania and Italy.
Lufthansa Group
Due to the spread of the epidemic with the new Coronavirus, Lufthansa Group has decided to cancel about 23 flights between March 29 and April 24. For the flight schedule after April 25, Lufthansa Group will return with details at a later date.
The operational program will be updated gradually in the reservation systems, and the affected passengers will be informed about the changes and the booking options, starting today. It is not excluded that in the coming days there will be other changes in the operational program. However, Lufthansa cancels several flights to Bucharest, Cluj and Timisoara.
Air Serbia
Starting with 19 March 2020, Air Serbia immediately suspended its activity. Obviously, the decision was made because of the pandemic with the new coronavirus. Serbia has temporarily suspended international passenger traffic for social isolation and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SWISS
SWISS will operate approximately 40 flights per week to these European destinations, plus the three weekly flights to Newark. The remaining flight schedule will be honored with a wide-body airplane for long-haul and flights five aircraft dedicated to short and medium flights.
Air Malta
Finnair
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Air Astana
Royal Jordanian
Virgin Atlantic Airways
Norwegian Air
Eurowings
Air Dolomiti
Ukraine International Airlines
Czech Airlines
Air France
KLM
Transavia
The list includes airlines with suspended activity or with significantly reduced operations. It will remain open and we will complete it along the way. There are many more airlines in Europe with canceled flights, suspended operations. But there are other companies around the world in the same conditions.
The new COVID-19 has succeeded in bringing to Earth, in its own right and in its own form, one of the largest industries on the planet.