Major airlines are rushing to find ways beyond their standard strategies to win over hesitant travelers as coronavirus fears mount
CHICAGO/SYDNEY - The rapid spread of coronavirus cases worldwide is complicating a standard strategy used by airlines when disease, disaster or conflict hit travel destinations: lower fares and redirect flights to trouble-free areas.
The coronavirus, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, has spread around the world, with more new cases now appearing outside China than inside. In Latin America, Peruvian low-cost carrier Viva Air was holding a board meeting on Wednesday to discuss measures, Declan Ryan, executive chairman of the board of directors, told Reuters.
FILE PHOTO: People wearing protective face masks walk as they arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris, France, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to expand, February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes “After Easter if things have settled down, temperatures in Europe are rising, I think there will be a significant decline in the spread of the virus. Airlines will then respond with seat promotions, seat sales that will get people back traveling very quickly,” he told Reuters.FILE PHOTO: Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary attends the Europe Aviation Summit in Brussels, Belgium March 3, 2020.
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