Chinese Cities to Lose Crucial Emirates Flights as Virus Spreads

Chinese Cities to Lose Crucial Emirates Flights as Virus Spreads

Emirates, the largest airline on international routes, and smaller rival Etihad had provided China with vital links via their hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi even as other carriers pulled the plug.. Dubai alone has more than 90 weekly flights to China, from where 3.7 million people flew to the sheikdom last year.. The death toll from the virus has risen above 360, with total confirmed cases reaching almost 17,400.. Chinese officials are evaluating cuts to their growth target for 2020 and the central bank stepped in to help cushion the economy.. The U.A.E., which has reported five cases of infection, put flights to and from Wuhan - the city at the center of the crisis - on hold on Jan. 23.. More than 25,000 flights to, from and within China will be canceled this week as in excess of two dozen airlines respond to the coronavirus threat, according to flight-data firm OAG Aviation Worldwide Ltd..