JetBlue Cutting Capacity by 5%

JetBlue is cutting capacity by roughly 5% “in the near term to address the fall in demand” as a result of the coronavirus.

“We are closely monitoring booking trends to assess whether additional capacity reductions will be required,” the airline said in a statement to CNN.

JetBlue joins United and other international carriers in Asia and Europe that have reduced domestic service as the global crisis has greatly reduced non-essential travel. It is likely other U.S. carriers will announce similar flights cuts.

CNN reported that JetBlue was also taking steps “aimed at preserving cash,” including delaying or canceling upcoming events and meetings, and reducing hiring for frontline and support center positions.

While the airline does not fly to the destinations heavily impacted by the virus, such as China and South Korea, JetBlue was the first U.S. carrier to lift all cancel and change fees due to travel uncertainty. JetBlue announced earlier that it would be suspending change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings made between Feb. 27 and March 11, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020.