American Airlines cuts flights after coronavirus prompts drop in demand for travel

American Airlines announced early Tuesday it will cut both domestic and international flights in the wake of decreased demand for travel following the continued spread of the new strain of coronavirus.

American plans to cut its domestic flights by 7.5% in April compared to the current schedule, and cut its international flights by 10% for the summer peak. The summer cuts include a 55% reduction in trans-Pacific flights.

The airline said the cuts are due to decreased travel demand from customers due to the new coronavirus. Other airlines also have been making cuts to their schedules.

American is the dominant carrier at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and celebrated the milestone of operating more than 700 daily flights out of CLT mid-February.

Also on Tuesday, Delta Air Lines, which operates a small number of flights out of CLT’s Concourse A, announced it would cut international flights by 20% to 25% and domestic flights by 10% to 15%. It was not immediately clear if the announcement would affect any CLT flights.

American’s announcement of the flight reductions comes after Delta and United Airlines had previously suspended multiple routes between the U.S to China and Italy.

The airline also recently announced that change fees will be waived for customers who had purchased tickets prior to March 1 for travel through April 30.

Empty seats

At CLT, American will be suspending flights to Rome (FCO) and delaying the restart of seasonal flights to Barcelona (BCN), according to the airline’s statement. Both routes are scheduled to resume service June 4. There were no international flight changes at Raleigh-Durham International Airport by American.

Several flights out of CLT Tuesday were half empty — or more.

One flight to LaGuardia Airport in New York shows 75 open seats on a 150-seat flight, according to American’s website. Another Tuesday night flight to LGA has 123 open seats on a 187-seat flight.

CLT isn’t the only airport with sparse flights. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, another American Airlines hub, shows 73 open seats on a 187-seat flight Tuesday night.

American Airlines is seeing fewer passengers per flight, or “load factors,” spokeswoman Cyrstal Byrd said, adding: “But we’re still seeing a demand for air travel.”

NC state of emergency

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Tuesday as the state deals with the continued spread of the illness.

Mecklenburg County has not yet seen a confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, the illness caused by the new virus. As of Monday, North Carolina has seen seven cases of the novel coronavirus. Most of the NC cases are in Wake County.

Travel restrictions that are being seen around the country also are happening locally.

The city of Charlotte suspended “all non-essential” business travel Monday for city employees until further notice. And Mecklenburg County workers who travel to countries with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls “widespread, ongoing transmission” of the virus — or host individuals who have traveled to those affected areas — are not allowed to return to work for at least 14 days.

The CDC still designates North Carolina as “low risk” for the virus, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said Monday at a news conference.

But she said she does expect to eventually see cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in Mecklenburg County.

The county launched a novel coronavirus hotline last week. Residents seeking information on the virus, or who may be experiencing symptoms, can call 980-314-9400.

“We are going to keep you informed and updated as things change,” Harris said Monday. “I would urge calm and for people to do what they need to do to protect themselves, but not to panic at this point.”

This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 9:09 AM.