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Asiana Airlines has asked cabin crew members to take unpaid leaves as the flag carrier’s China routes have been reduced due to concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus, a company spokesman said Wednesday. Asiana is currently accepting applications from cabin crew members for an unpaid voluntary leave of absence between Feb. 15-29, the spokesman said. The airline is also considering accepting applications for unpaid leave in March, a move in line with a reduction in Chinese routes, the spokesman said. <br/>

Squabbling between South Africa’s government and the state-owned airline’s bankruptcy administrator is threatening its chances of survival, Investec’s CEO said. President Cyril Ramaphosa in December placed debt-ridden South African Airways in business rescue, a local form of bankruptcy protection. Over the past few days, there’s been a flurry of conflicting messages from the government and the business-rescue practitioners, leaving investors and customers unclear about whether the carrier has a future. Last week, Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said they oppose the business-rescue practitioners’ decision to close unprofitable routes. On Sunday, the chairman of the ruling African National Congress, Gwede Mantashe, reportedly said the airline should be sold. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has repeatedly said it should be closed. “If the business-rescue practitioners recommend one route, the government wants a different route, which plan would the funders be required to support?” Investec CEO Fani Titi said Monday. “Until there is a clear plan, supported by all stakeholders and properly funded, I think SAA is in trouble.”<br/>