British Airways shrinks Milan timetable as virus hits demand

British Airways became the first major carrier to cut services to Italy following the spread of the coronavirus there, saying it will eliminate 22 round-trip flights to Milan through March 11.

BA said Wednesday that it took the decision following a reduction in demand for travel to the city in the Lombardy region, where the Italian outbreak is concentrated. Passengers can switch to other flights within two hours of their planned departure, claim a refund or rebook for a later date.

The move affects a minority of BA services to Milan’s Linate airport, where the U.K. arm of IAG SA operates eight daily trips. A twice-daily service to Malpensa airport will continue. People with bookings to Turin, Bologna, Venice, Bergamo and Verona can also shift travel to another date.

As of Wednesday, at least 11 people had died from the disease in Italy, while more than 300 had been infected. Royal Jordanian Airlines earlier suspended services from Amman to Rome, while Kuwait halted all flights to Italy.