United Airlines extends flight cancellations between U.S. and China amid coronavirus
United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL) is further extending its suspension on flights between the U.S. and China, due to risks posed by coronavirus.
On Wednesday, the airline announced it will cancel flights until April 24. The company previously said flights between the U.S. and Hong Kong would resume on February 20 and flights to mainland China — servicing hubs in Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai — would resume on March 28.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in China and evaluate our schedule as we remain in close contact with the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) and other public health experts around the globe,” a United spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement. The company also said that impacted customers would be eligible for rebooking options and refunds.
Among U.S. passenger carriers, United runs the majority of U.S.-China routes. United Airlines Holdings Inc. (UAL), Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) and American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) comprise the group of U.S. carriers with service between the U.S., China, and Hong Kong. All have issued temporary reductions and cancellations to service in response to health precautions, decreased demand and government advisories against travel to the region.
Collectively, the “Big Three” domestic carriers generated more than $186 million during the third quarter of 2019 from travel between U.S. locations and China/Hong Kong.
United’s revenue from U.S.-China and Hong Kong passenger routes, which consists of about 24 flights a day, totaled roughly $99 million or approximately $1.1 million per day. United began decreasing its service to mainland China the first week in February and halted all of its previously scheduled flights starting Feb. 6.
Shares of United traded at $82.20 at market close on Wednesday, up 2.07% from the prior day’s session.
Alexis Keenan is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @alexiskweed.
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