Apple travel to China could be cut after United reduces flights

Apple Inc.’s ability to send engineers to China could be constrained by United’s decision to reduce travel there amid a rising death toll from the coronavirus.

The iPhone maker buys some 50 business-class seats a day on the San Francisco to Shanghai run, one of several routes United Airlines Holdings Inc. says it will start limiting starting Feb. 1. While Apple designs its products in Cupertino, California, most manufacturing is done in China and requires close supervision from its engineers and managers.

Read more: Apple Supply Chain Braces for Disruption From Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday told U.S. travelers to avoid non-essential trips to China. Apple hasn’t said if it’s limiting employee travel to the region, but reduced hours in some Chinese stores after the government extended the Lunar New Year holiday in an effort to contain the outbreak.

Apple didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook previously said Apple would support relief efforts to help victims of the virus.