Airlines begin cancelling their flights to China

Wuhan: Airlines begin cancelling their flights to China after 132 deaths from the deadly Coronavirus in China.

The airlines began cancelling flights after some countries evacuated their citizens from Wuhan, a city with a population of 100 million in the quarantine centre to prevent the spread of the virus.

In this regard, Japan on Wednesday returned 206 of its citizens, 12 of whom were admitted to the hospital on complaints of deteriorating health and cold conditions.

On the other hand, many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have warned their citizens not to travel to China unnecessarily.

It is to be noted that till now 18 countries around the world have been confirmed with the virus, while China has also urged its citizens to postpone travel abroad.

British airline British Airways was the first and largest aviation company to announce the cancellation of its flights to China, according to the Foreign Office's travel instructions, according to a French news agency AFP.

After that, Lufthansa, one of Europe's largest airlines and Germany's national airline, announced the cancellation of all its flights from China until February 9, the same was announced by Switzerland and Australian Airlines.

In line with the number of ships, Indonesia's largest airline, Indonesia's Line Air Group, announced Saturday that it would cancel its flights to China, while Myanmar and Nepal followed suit.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific has also cut its flights due to a shortage of passengers as the government plans to curb the spread of the virus.

In addition, China's main trading partner, Kazakhstan, stopped visas for Chinese citizens, saying passenger trains and flights operating on both sides of the border would also be stopped.

The most dramatic step was taken by Papua New Guinea, a small Pacific country, and announced that no traveller from Asia would be allowed to enter the country.

It is understood that China has taken extraordinary steps to curb the spread of the virus, including banning tour groups travelling overseas, closing schools and increasing New Year's holidays.

Unofficial efforts to quarantine most traffic in Wuhan and its surroundings are banned, leaving more than 5 million people in their homes.

"This is the first day after the lockdown that when I got out of the house, I had no choice but to ask why," a 50-year-old man on a quiet road in an industrial city told reporters. Had to buy food and drink. '

Countries are making rapid efforts to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan safely, but they face logistical, medical and administrative barriers.

Wuhan landed at a California charter flight carrying 210 Americans to a California military base where personnel with flashing lights in emergency vehicles and medical hazard white clothing were present.