Airports Council International (ACI) World has advised airlines and the aviation industry at a global scale – not just in China – to take appropriate measures in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In the coming days and weeks, ACI expects to see national regulators and health authorities react to the spread of the virus by introducing measures directly affecting aviation and more broadly.
Meanwhile, in China, transport links – and ultimately, airfreight routes – continue to be disrupted. This follows Chinese authorities quarantining the city of Wuhan in China to prevent the virus from spreading. Some transportation links have also been closed off in the cities of Huanggang, Ezhou, Xiantao, Chibi and Lichuan – all of which are located in China’s Hubei province. Commercial flights have ceased to operate for the time being from airports in these cities.
In response to the closure of Wuhan Tianhe Airport, some airlines have released statements detailing changes to their flight schedules. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the airport was the country’s sixteenth most busy in terms of cargo, handling 221,576 tonnes. The city has a large industrial zone where high tech, automotive and pharma products are produced, amongst others.
Source : Various Agencies