COVID-19 is hitting the airline industry harder than ever. Airlines with relatively weak cash flow are painfully suffering, as demand drastically drops. American Airlines announced that they will cut more flights than ever for the next few months, with a 75% international reduction.
Earlier in the year, we reported that American Airlines cut China flights, Italy flights and Asian flights. Now as the FAA and EU waiving airport slot requirements, American is making another step forward with flight cutting.
At the time of writing, there are already over 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States. President Trump has declared a national emergency and has restricted travel from over 20 countries.
Cut Flights
American Airlines Group will implement a phased suspension of long-haul international flights from the US, starting on 16th March. This suspension will last through 6th May. Specifically, the airline will:
- Reduce international capacity by 75%
- Only operate three long-haul routes, include one flight daily from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to London (LHR), one flight daily from Miami (MIA) to LHR and three flights per week from DFW to Tokyo (NRT)
- Continue short-haul international flying, which includes flights to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and certain markets in the northern part of South America
In addition to the international changes, the airline anticipates its domestic capacity in April will be reduced by 20% and May’s domestic capacity will be reduced by 30%.
By region, the new schedule changes include the following:
Asia, Effective 16th March
- American will suspend all remaining flights to Asia, except for three flights per week from DFW to NRT
| Origin | Destination | Schedule change |
|---|---|---|
| DFW | Tokyo-Haneda (HND) | Delayed inaugural flight; moved to May |
| DFW | Hong Kong (HKG) | Suspended 16th March through 1st July |
| LAX | Tokyo-Haneda (HND) | Suspended 16th March through 6th May |
| LAX | Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | Suspended 16th March through 6th May |
Australia and New Zealand, effective 16th March
- Suspending service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) effective 16th March, which was slated to end seasonal flying on 28th March
- Suspending service from LAX to Sydney (SYD) effective 16th March
| Origin | Destination | Schedule change |
|---|---|---|
| LAX | Auckland (AKL) | The final westbound flight will return to LAX on 18th March; seasonal service is slated to begin again in October |
| LAX | Sydney (SYD) | The final westbound flight will return to LAX on 18th March; service suspended through 6th May |
Europe, phased suspension
- American will continue to operate one flight daily from DFW to LHR and MIA to LHR
- Suspending flights from New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), and LAX to LHR gradually over the next seven days to reaccommodate passengers and crew
- LHR, Dublin (DUB) and Manchester (MAN) flights from Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Phoenix (PHX) will be suspended faster, as these airports are not approved gateways by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Final eastbound flights from CLT, PHL and PHX will be on 15th March; final westbound flights returning from LHR, DUB and MAN will depart 16th March
- Continued suspensions in other parts of Europe, as previously announced, including the delayed start of some seasonal routes, as well as flights to and from Amsterdam (AMS), Barcelona (BCN), Frankfurt (FRA), Madrid (MAD) and Munich (MUC) Paris (CDG) and Zurich (ZRH) through early May, or later, based on guidance from the US government and customer demand
| Origin | Destination | Schedule change |
|---|---|---|
| BOS | London (LHR) | Delayed inaugural flight; moved to May |
| CLT | London (LHR) | The final eastbound flight on 15th March; final westbound flight on 16th March |
| JFK | London (LHR) | Phased suspension gradually implemented between 16th March and 23rd March; suspended through 6th May |
| LAX | London (LHR) | Phased suspension gradually implemented between 16th March and 23rd March; suspended through 6th May |
| PHL | London (LHR) | The final eastbound flight on 15th March; final westbound flight on 16th March |
| PHX | London (LHR) | The final eastbound flight on 15th March; final westbound flight on 16th March |
| ORD | London (LHR) | Phased suspension gradually implemented between 16th March and 23rd March; suspended through 6th May |
South America, effective 16th March
- Suspending service from JFK and MIA to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Georgetown, Guyana (GEO)
- Suspending service from DFW, JFK and MIA to São Paulo (GRU)
- Suspending service from DFW and MIA to:
- Chile: Santiago (SCL)
- Colombia: Bogota (BOG)
- Ecuador: Guayaquil (GYE) and Quito (UIO)
- Peru: Lima (LIM)
- Suspending service from MIA to:
- Brazil: Brasilia (BSB) and Manaus (MAO)
- Colombia: Barranquilla (BAQ), Cartagena (CTG), Cali (CLO), Medellin (MDE) and Pereira (PEI)