Delta scales back PDX flights, United cuts across the board

PORTLAND — Delta Air Lines abandoned plans for daily flights between Portland and Tokyo on Wednesday, citing diminished demand due to the coronavirus. United Airlines, meanwhile, said the outbreak has prompted it to reduce international flights by 20 percent next month, and cut domestic flights by 10 percent.

“For us at PDX, that’s the first COVID (19) impact we’ve seen on our flight schedules,” said Kama Simonds, spokeswoman for the Port of Portland, which runs Portland International Airport.

The port doesn’t have fresh data on passenger volumes, Simonds said, so it’s not yet clear whether the coronavirus outbreak is reducing the number of people flying in and out of Portland. But the airlines clearly anticipate a profound effect.

Delta had just launched daily flights between Portland and Tokyo this year, ahead of the summer Olympics in Japan. On Wednesday, though, it said the flight will instead operate three times each week – while also reducing the frequency of flights to Japan at six other U.S. airports.

Separately, United said it will reduce flights across its schedule and freeze hiring to save costs amid reduced flight demand, according to CNBC. The airline didn’t immediately specify the changes to its Portland flight schedule.

“We sincerely hope that these latest measures are enough, but the dynamic nature of this outbreak requires us to be nimble and flexible moving forward in how we respond,” the airline said in a widely reported letter to employees.

President Donald Trump said airlines have not asked for a federal bailout.

At least nine airlines have said they will waive flight change fees because of the virus. Alaska Airlines, the busiest carrier operating at PDX, said last week it is suspending change and cancellation fees for newly purchased flights between Feb. 27 and June 30.