OAG, the international data provider for airports and airlines, revealed that last week saw unprecedented levels of action by governments to control the spread of the Corona virus, while increasing levels of increased security, health checks for incoming passengers, as well as canceling many flights Air worldwide to and from China.
The corporation compared the changes in the movement of scheduled flights to the Chinese market during the past three weeks, adding that "this change is perhaps the most dramatic in one country in such a short period of time at all", pointing out that the reduction of about 1.6 million seats on air connectivity services This week compared to the previous week, it highlights the impact of the Corona virus on international trade, at least in the short term.
It indicated that more than 25,000 flights to and from China were canceled this week compared to the rate recorded in the past two weeks, with 30 airlines resorting to canceling flights or reducing seat capacity, pointing out that the same thing applied to the local market as the capacity for flights declined The interior is about 3.8 million seats, especially since the size of the domestic market is about 43 times larger than the largest international markets.
She pointed out that in terms of percentage, Singapore witnessed a decrease in capacity by 38% and Thailand by 34%, pointing out that in total about 24 airlines suspended all scheduled services to China, these airlines acquired about 48 thousand seats per week, representing about 2% Of the total seat capacity.
"Capacity cuts this week are probably the most important in a specific time period in response to any epidemiological event," she added.