Airlines may suffer $100b loss

Tightened policies

Governments around the world are tightening travel policies as both businesses and individuals grow more cautious about flying－two trends that pose a threat to the aviation industry.

While the World Health Organization advised against "the application of travel and trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks" and claimed that travel bans are "usually not effective in preventing the importation of cases", the United States, Russia, Japan, India, Australia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea are among countries that have imposed restrictions on travel to and from other countries.

Italy decided on Monday to extend its lockdown zone－initially included only the Northern Lombardy region－to the entire country. Travel restrictions, ban on public events, closure of schools and public spaces are affecting all 60 million residents in the country.

Besides governments, major global businesses are encouraging employees not to travel.

According to a recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association published on Tuesday, more than 40 percent of its member companies have canceled or suspended all international travel, and 95 percent have canceled or suspended most or all business trips to China. The trend is similar in terms of domestic travel, the association said.