COVID-19 network update: Korean Air suspends 44 routes, grounds A380

As the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve, here is a day-by-day update of some of the key route suspensions, as filed by the airlines with OAG. Although these are filed schedules, the fluid situation means they are subject to change, and flights ultimately operated may differ.

Italy has now announced a nation-wide quarantine, which will ultimately mean the suspension of all flights to and from the country for at least 14 days. At the time of writing BA, Jet2, Ryanair and Wizz Air are the latest to suspend all operations to Italy. For Ryanair alone, this accounts for almost 4,000 weekly flights and over 750,000 weekly seats. Below are the other key route suspensions:

• BREAKING: Korean Air has taken 44 routes out of the schedule this week, with total capacity down 60% compared with last week and 76% since the start of February. The carrier has also reportedly grounded its fleet of 10 A380s, alongside 90 other aircraft in the fleet.
• Ethiopian Airlines has pulled 18 routes from this week’s schedule, as below, and cut capacity by more than 50% on eight others – likely in response to slowing demand and to limit the spread of the outbreak.

• Lufthansa has suspended 12 routes this week, according to OAG Schedules Analyser, with the carrier having confirmed the temporary grounding of its A380 fleet, and an up to 50% capacity cut across the Lufthansa Group. 

• Following Italy being placed under quarantine, Alitalia has cut 10 routes so far this week, with up to 86% capacity cuts on the rest of the network. So far, total daily flights are down 42% on last week, but expect further cancellations beyond this.

• Qantas Group have announced the suspension of four routes, and the rerouting of QF1/2 Sydney – Singapore – London to Sydney – Perth – London. This will be downgauged from an A380 – with eight of the 12-strong fleet being grounded – to a 787-9, which will, therefore, increase the existing Perth to London service to double daily.

• Air Dolomiti has suspended four routes so far between Northern Italy and Germany, with at least 50% cuts to the Verona – Frankfurt and Turin – Munich routes. With a national quarantine now in place, expect the rest of the schedule to be eventually pulled.

• Cebu Pacific has suspended four routes – three to the Korean capital, Seoul, and one domestic service. Angeles/Mabalacat to Panglao is the only other route with a more than 50% capacity cut, however reduced frequencies feature across the rest of the network.

• Emirates has suspended two routes, and filed over 50% frequency cuts on routes to Amman, Conakry, Dakar, Dammam, Johannesburg, Kuwait, Stockholm, and Nairobi.

• Finnair has suspended two routes, in response to stricter travel restrictions across Europe and Asia.