Lufthansa is implementing even more drastic measures to combat the impact of the coronavirus epidemic. The group is reducing short-haul capacity by up to 25% and is decommissioning further aircraft. Lufthansa Group has already had to ground 13 aircraft. On Friday, the Group posted a video on their intranet in which CEO Carsten Spohr addresses his employees. Shortly afterwards, an official press release was sent out explaining that in addition to the recently announced cost-cutting measures, the Lufthansa Executive Board has decided on further steps. "We will have to reduce capacity on short-haul routes by up to 25% in the coming weeks following initial cuts." The extent of the cuts will depend on "further developments in the spread of the coronavirus." Lufthansa is also further cutting down on long-haul flights. The 13 aircraft already on the ground will be joined by up to ten more. This means that 23 long-haul aircraft could be grounded because flights to China had to be cancelled after the outbreak of the epidemic and demand to and from Asia has collapsed.<br/>
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United CE Oscar Munoz told employees the US airline would likely need to cut additional flights in the wake of sagging demand because of the coronavirus outbreak, the airline confirmed Sunday. In a email late on Saturday to employees, Munoz noted the carrier had cut flights to Asia and suspended service to mainland China and Hong Kong through April 30. "We are strategically managing our Atlantic and domestic service, mindful of travel directives from the federal government, fluctuating demand and of course, the advice of public health experts. Based on current trends, it is likely that additional schedule reductions will be necessary," Munoz said. <br/>
United said Friday it was sharply cutting flights to Japan and South Korea, as travelers worried about the coronavirus outbreak slash ticket purchases for those destinations. It also cancelled its investor day that had been due to be held on March 5. With investors firmly focused on how the company is managing the near-term impact of the coronavirus, United said it was not “practical to expect that it can have a productive conversation focused on its long-term strategy next week.” The event will be rescheduled for September. United already withdrew its 2020 guidance this week due to uncertainty over the duration and spread of the virus. It warned that near-term demand to China has almost disappeared, with demand for the rest of its trans-Pacific routes down by 75%.<br/>
Air NZ has sold out of the 1000 $9 domestic airfares it put up for sale on Monday morning to try address softening demand as a result of coronavirus. Air NZ chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said the "absolutely outstanding" fares were due to "softening domestic demand growth as a result of coronavirus". An airline spokeswoman said the sale broke all previous Grabaseat records with traffic to its website peaking at 70,000 unique visits shortly after 9am. All of the $9 fares sold out within minutes. New Zealand's only recorded case of Covid-19 came after an infected traveller flew into New Zealand on Wednesday, February 26, from Tehran, Iran via Bali on Emirates flight EK450. Health officials have contacted 18 passengers who were seated near the person, but not all have responded.<br/>