American Airlines dropping more international flights over coronavirus

American Airlines is making deeper cuts to international flights due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s dominant carrier said late Thursday that along with suspending flights Friday from CLT to Frankfurt and Munich, the airline plans to cut more international flights this summer by 34%.

It also plans a 50% reduction next month on trans-Atlantic flights because of decreased travel demand as COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, continues to spread.

Earlier this week, American had said it would cut international flights by 10% for the summer peak.

Domestic flights also will be cut by 7.5% next month, and summer cuts include a 55% reduction in trans-Pacific flights, the airline said earlier this week.

The airline’s announcement follows President Donald Trump’s 30-day ban announced Wednesday on most Europeans entering the U.S.

The airline said late Thursday it plans to continue operating flights to and from Europe for up to seven days to ensure customers and employees can return home.

American also said it is suspending service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to London Heathrow.

All suspended flights are expected to resume as early as May 7, according to the airline.

American will waive change fees for customers who purchased tickets before March 11 for travel to Europe, including the United Kingdom, through May 31, the airline said Thursday night.

Countries affected

Other countries affected by the presidential travel ban are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

American Airlines passengers coming to the U.S. will be asked if they have visited these countries, Iran or mainland China within the past 14 days, the airline has said. If so, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents must enter the U.S. through one of 11 approved airports.

Non-U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who visited one of the countries will be denied permission to travel to the U.S.

The approved airports are:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)

If a flight is canceled and a customer does not want to re-book, refund requests can be made at aa.com/refunds.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 9:43 AM.