Lufthansa Group says it will cut its short-haul operations in the coming weeks, “As a result of the current situation caused by the accelerated spread of the coronavirus”.
In a statement the group said that “Within the coming weeks, the number of short- and medium-haul flights will be reduced by up to 25 percent, depending on the further development of the spread of the coronavirus”.
The statement also said that group airlines “are also continuing to reduce their flight schedule on long-haul routes”, with the number of long-haul aircraft not in action set to increase from 13 to 23.
The group said that it was not yet possible to estimate the financial impact of the virus, but said it was “examining the possibility of reduced working hours in various areas”.
In a separate statement Lufthansa Group said that it had extended the suspension of Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian flights to mainland China until April 24, and to Tehran until April 30.
Flights between Munich and Hong Kong will be suspended between March 6 and April 24, and “some frequencies” will be cancelled between Frankfurt and Seoul between March 5 and April 24. Services to northern Italy will also be adjusted to meet demand.
The group is set to publish “key financial figures” at its annual press conference on March 19.