Ryanair will cut capacity in and out of Italy, its largest market, by 25% for three weeks due to a significant drop off in bookings since a coronavirus outbreak, the carrier said Monday. The airline said it did not expect the cancellations to have a material impact in its current financial year, which ends on Mar 31, and said it was "far too early to speculate" on the impact of the virus on next year's results. Rivals including BA, easyJet and Wizz have already announced cancellations in the wake of disruption from the outbreak, which emerged in China in late December and has spread to more than 50 countries. "We will make sensible cuts to our schedules over the coming weeks to reflect weaker bookings and changing travel patterns," CE Michael O'Leary said. "This is a time for calm." The virus is likely, however, to result in the failure of more European airlines in the coming weeks, he said.<br/>
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European holiday company TUI said Monday it plans to cut administrative budget, freeze hiring and postpone non-critical projects, following weaker bookings last week due to the coronavirus outbreak. “At this point in time, we only see a marginal effect on our operations,” the company said, and added that it was not yet possible to estimate the potential financial impact. TUI, which has had weaker bookings since the first coronavirus cases in northern Italy were announced last month, said it was reviewing options for capacity management. European travel and leisure companies have been hit by the virus outbreak and airlines have seen a significant drop in bookings. <br/>
Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company is partnering Wizz Air Holdings, the European airline, to establish Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. The low-cost airline is set to launch its operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport in H2. This is the second low-cost airline to be announced in Abu Dhabi - Etihad had earlier announced such a venture with Air Arabia. “Tourism is a high priority in Abu Dhabi’s growth strategy,” said Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, CEO of ADDH. “Significant investment is going not only into our airports but also the tourist infrastructure, including hotels, resorts and cultural attractions.<br/>
Alaska Airlines confirmed Monday it will drop its sponsorship of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska’s most famous sporting event. The Seattle-based airline, which got its start in Alaska decades ago, said that the decision to end sponsorship after this year's race was made as the company transitions to a new corporate giving strategy. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the most vocal critic of the thousand-mile sled dog race across Alaska, praised the decision. "When dogs used in the Iditarod aren't being forced to run until their paws bleed and their bodies break down, they're chained alone in the bitter cold," PETA Executive VP Tracy Reiman said. "PETA and every kind person opposed to cruelty to dogs is flying high over Alaska Airlines' decision to stop sponsoring the Iditarod."<br/>