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The UK’s flag carrier British Airways (BA) has halted all its flight operations from London Gatwick Airport due to the reduced demand caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The BBC reported that the airline told its staff in an email that it is facing a ‘challenging market environment in unprecedented circumstances’.
BA stated: “Due to the considerable restrictions and challenging market environment, like many other airlines, we will temporarily suspend our flying schedule at Gatwick.”
It added that it is unsure of when the services will resume.
However, the airline is continuing its operations from Heathrow Airport, which is its main hub. These operations are also reduced and have been closed completely at Terminal 3.
BA is currently operating from Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.
The UK Government’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office established a partnership with airlines to bring home British tourists stranded by the coronavirus (Covid-19).
In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) negotiated by the Foreign Secretary and Transport Secretary, various airlines such as Virgin, EasyJet, Jet2 and Titan Airways have signed the agreement.
Last week, Gatwick Airport announced that it would close its North Terminal from 1 April due to reduced demand.
London City Airport also announced that it will halt all commercial and private flight operations temporarily.
The Covid-19 pandemic has so far infected more than 800,000 and killed over 38,700 people around the world. The UK has reported 22,465 deaths and 1,412 deaths so far.
