Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Airlines Slash Flights, Freeze Hiring as Virus Cuts Travel

Associated Press

   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 coronavirus.

   Delta Air Lines said Tuesday that travel demand has fallen so badly in
   the past week that it expects one-third of seats to be empty this month
   on flights within the United States -- previously the market most
   immune to virus fallout.

   Business travelers are grounded as meetings and conferences are being
   canceled. Leisure travelers are scared.

   Normally airlines try to lure reluctant customers by discounting fares,
   but that won't work in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.

   "If you are scared of flying, you are probably scared at any price,"
   said Delta President Glen Hauenstein.

   Delta, the world's biggest airline by revenue, said 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. CEO
   Ed Bastian said the airline is "prepared to do more" if the outbreak
   grows.

.