Wizz Air has cut flights to Tel Aviv after coronavirus triggered a slump in passenger demand for Israel.
The budget airline’s frequency from Luton airport to Tel Aviv is being reduced from six to five flights a week between March 15 and April 2 – the week before Easter.
The carrier said its flight schedule was being adjusted due to “decreasing demand for its Israeli routes as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus”.
Wizz Air said: “The airline has cancelled flights on specific routes to Tel Aviv between March 15 and April 2.
“Passengers with bookings affected by this change will be automatically informed and accommodated on an alternative route at the earliest possible date but at least 14 days prior to the original date of the flight.
“Customers who have booked directly on wizzair.com or the airline’s mobile app will receive an email notification, in which they are offered the free rebooking or full refund or 120% refund of the original fare in airline credit.”
The move follow British Airways and easyJet cutting flights as coronavirus concerns cut travel demand, particularly to Italy and Asia.
Emirates Group has offered staff the option of taking voluntary paid or unpaid leave due to coronavirus.
Employees were reportedly told: “A particular challenge for us right now is dealing with the impact of COVID-19.
“We’ve seen a measurable slow-down in business across our brands and a need for flexibility in the way we work.”
The group, which includes Emirates airline, has more than 100,000 employees.
Emirates stressed that the leave it was asking staff to take is voluntary.
“It is at the employee’s discretion if they want to take it or not.”
However, Ryanair said today that all its flights are operating as normal.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and follow all public health instructions that are issued,” the no-frills carrier added.