News

Coronavirus: BA cuts more flights as demand falls

British Airways is cutting more flights as demand drops due to fears over the spread of coronavirus.

More than 200 flights are being cut or merged from London between March 16-28, including New York, Italy, France, Germany and other European countries.

The action came as Ryanair cut up to 25% of flights to and from Italy between March 17 and April 8.


More: Latest coronavirus news and updates

Travel Weekly Facebook Live to offer coronavirus advice


BA said it was moving to “match reduced demand due to the continuing coronavirus issue”.

The cancellations include:

  • 12 Heathrow to JFK return flights between March 17-28
  • 171 short-haul returns from Heathrow to countries including Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland
  • 7 short-haul returns from Gatwick to Italy, France and Albania
  • 26 short-haul returns from London City airport to Germany and Italy

BA confirmed last week that 56 return flights from Heathrow and Gatwick to Italian destinations, including Milan, Bologna, Bergamo, Venice and Turin, would be cancelled between March 14-28.

Six return flights from Heathrow to Singapore will be cancelled every other day starting from March 15 to March 25. BA normally runs a double daily service but will continue to fly to Singapore every day.

Flights to Seoul are also being cancelled every other day between March 13-28. BA has already cut services to Hong Kong.

Customers on cancelled services will be offered the option of a full refund, rebook to a later date or rebook on other carriers where possible.

BA serves JFK with up to ten return flights a day plus additional services with codeshare partner American Airlines.

The airline stressed that it has become first UK airline to waive its change fee, giving passengers the ability to delay travel that is booked during the next two weeks.

The ‘book with confidence’ policy will be available for new bookings made between today (Tuesday) and March 16.

“As some customers are facing uncertainty when booking travel at the moment, the airline has introduced the policy to give its customers more confidence, across any of its routes,” BA said.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.