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Air Canada extends flight suspension to Chinese cities, citing virus
MONTREAL, Feb 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Air Canada announced Tuesday it is
extending its suspension of flights between Canada and the Chinese cities of
Beijing and Shanghai until April 10 due to the new coronavirus epidemic.
Flights from Canada to the two cities had been temporarily suspended from
January 30 to the end of February after the foreign ministry advised
Canadians against non-essential travel to China in light of the virus’s rapid
spread there.
The Air Canada website says the company and health authorities “will
continue to monitor this evolving situation closely” and “will adjust its
schedule as appropriate.”
The airline usually offers direct flights from Toronto, Montreal and
Vancouver to Beijing and Shanghai.
And the company also extended the suspension of daily flights to Hong Kong
from Toronto until April 30, citing “reduced market demand.”
Flights to and from Taipei “remain unaffected,” according to the company’s
website.
Air Canada estimated that its first quarter net profit would be
approximately Can$200 million (138 million euros) less than in the same
period the previous year, thanks to coronavirus travel restrictions and the
recall of Boeing 737MAX planes.
COVID-19 — the disease caused by the novel coronavirus infection — has
killed more than 2,600 people and infected almost 80,000 others, mainly in
China, according to the World Health Organization. There have been 11 cases
confirmed in Canada.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0826 hrs