China coronavirus: major airlines pull plug on services to Hong Kong and mainland as US considers stopping all flights
- Lufthansa, British Airways, Lion Air and Air Canada cancel all flights to mainland while host of other carriers reduce services
- United Airlines among those cutting Hong Kong route as virus death toll climbs
China was becoming increasingly isolated on Wednesday as major airlines rushed to pull flights to the mainland, while the death toll from the Wuhan coronavirus continued to grow.
More than 130 people are now known to have died from the disease and the number of people infected in China has risen above 6,000, a higher figure than the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) epidemic in 2003.
The Lufthansa Group, British Airways, Indonesiaâs Lion Air Group and Air Canada have cancelled all flights to the mainland, while the likes of United Airlines, American Airlines, IndiGo, Finnair, Delta Air Lines and Jetstar Asia have drastically reduced their services.
The impact was felt in Hong Kong too, with Virgin Atlantic initially telling passengers with flights booked to, through or from its Chinese destinations, including Hong Kong, they could not complete their journeys. Virgin said it would affect travellers with bookings until February 29.
However, the airline then changed its stance and said it would continue to operate to Shanghai and Hong Kong, but gave passengers the option of rebooking or getting a refund if they did not want to fly.
Elsewhere, officials in the United States are said to be considering whether to stop all flights between the US and China. It is unclear if Hong Kong will be included in that decision.