Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines announced Tuesday it will not fly any planes from Saturday March 21 to Sunday April 19 due to the coronavirus.
“Rest assured that we are already putting all our efforts into restarting operations on 20 April 2020 to serve you again with the extra smile you are used to,” the airline said in a statement.
The demand for air travel has dramatically reduced across the globe as countries impose travel restrictions and governments recommend staying at home. The Belgian government on Saturday advised citizens against traveling abroad.
Brussels Airlines’ parent company, the Lufthansa group, said it will cut 90 percent of its capacity to deal with the crisis. It said it will seek state aid from national governments to stay afloat.
EU transport ministers are meeting Wednesday via videoconference to discuss urgent measures to help the industry.