Airbus shelves plans for new A321 plant as coronavirus crisis hits

Airbus has shelved plans to create a new assembly line for its A321 airliner, in the latest example of how the coronavirus crisis is crippling the aviation industry. The aircraft maker had announced plans for the line at its Toulouse base in January, when its chief concern was meeting record demand for the jet, which can carry more than 200 passengers on short- and medium-haul routes. The move comes just a day after EasyJet said it was deferring delivery of 24 Airbus planes. It also follows Airbus stating Wednesday that it would slash the number of planes it builds by a third, amid expectations that the coronavirus pandemic will continue wreaking havoc on global aviation long after travel restrictions are eased. <br/>