British Airways (BA) decided to shrink the upcoming season schedule by canceling more than 15 long-haul routes in 2021. The airline continues to suffer a significant drop in the demand for international air travel.
The British air carrier plans to permanently cancel services on more than 15 long-haul routes from the beginning of the summer season of 2021. BA outlined that such destinations in the United States as Pittsburgh, and Charleston as well as Calgary, Canada, Seoul, South Korea, Durban, South Africa, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Lima, Peru, Osaka, Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and Muscat, Oman would be no longer served after March 28, 2021.
BA also scheduled April 24, 2021, as the last day of operations to Seychelles, a popular winter holiday destination, while temporarily cutting all operations to Sydney, Bangkok, and San Jose from March 28 until at least October 30, 2021.
“We are sorry that, like other airlines, due to the current coronavirus pandemic and global travel restrictions we are operating a reduced and dynamic schedule. We will be in touch with any customers whose flights are affected and advise customers to check [our page] for the latest flight information,“ BA spokesperson told local media on December 17, 2020.
The airline’s decision to cut a bunch of long-haul destinations follows the significant drop in passenger demand and global travel restrictions, after which many air carriers worldwide were forced to cut staff and cancel routes. To stop burning cash and save financial stability, BA has already laid off up to 10,000 employees through the summer season of 2020.
In July 2020, speaking to local media BA, doubted that the demand for international travel would return to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2023.