FILE - In this Monday, March 2, 2020 file photo, a health alert for people traveling to China is shown at a TSA security checkpoint at the Denver International Airport in Denver. A steep drop in business travel could be a gut punch to a tourism industry already reeling from the coronavirus outbreak, as big companies like Amazon try to keep employees healthy by banning trips. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
March 4, 2020
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Companies trim outlooks, travel and staff as virus spreads
GROUNDED AIRPLANES: United Airlines will cut international and U.S. flying, freeze hiring and ask employees to volunteer for unpaid leave as it struggles with weak demand for travel because of the new virus outbreak. United said Wednesday it will reduce passenger-carrying capacity 20% on international routes and 10% to 12% in the U.S. United executives expect the reductions will carry into May. Beyond that, it depends what happens to bookings over the next few weeks. United's CEO and president say they hope the moves are enough, but the nature of the outbreak requires the airline to be flexible in how it responds.