Covid-9 Cuts off Lifeblood of China's Airlines, Tour Companies
Liao Shumin
DATE:  Feb 18 2020
/ SOURCE:  yicai
Covid-9 Cuts off Lifeblood of China's Airlines, Tour Companies Covid-9 Cuts off Lifeblood of China's Airlines, Tour Companies

(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- China's airline and tourism sector is reeling from flight and other suspensions and closures as the Covid-9 epidemic rages unabated in the country. 

Their current plight stands in stark contrast to previous years' Spring Festival holidays, which the world's largest annual human migration usually turns into a bumper season for the sector, China's State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission said at a press conference today.

Three airlines refunded 13 million tickets and canceled 78,000 flights from Jan. 20 to Feb. 13. TheIr passenger load factor and daily aircraft utilization dropped by almost half, a set of data SASAC released shows.

Tour companies have also closed hotels, retail stores and scenic spots. For instance, China Tourism Group has shuttered 30 of these picturesque vistas, 19 hotels and 113 tourist retail stores, and has suspended all its cruise ship sailings. 

Property developer Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Group has shut 74 scenic spots and seven of its amusement parks, while 10 of its travel agencies have also suspended their operations, SASAC added.

Editor: Ben Armour

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Keywords:   Novel Corona Pneumoniavirus,Airlines,tourism sector