Coronavirus: British Airways grounds all flights to and from Gatwick Airport

British Airways has grounded all flights to and from Gatwick Airport due to coronavirus but still operate from London Heathrow at a severely reduced schedule.

This is due to the ‘considerable restrictions and challenging market environment’ amid the coronavirus pandemic, a spokesperson said. 

They continued: ‘Like many other airlines, we will temporarily suspend our flying schedule at Gatwick. We are contacting affected customers to discuss their options.’

The decision by BA to shut its Gatwick operation came hours after easyJet grounded its entire fleet of 330 aircraft.

Weeks ago,  British Airways  Chief Executive Alex Cruz admitted coronavirus is threatening the company’s operation as staff were told there will be job cuts because of the ‘worsening’ worldwide pandemic.

He wrote to all 45,000 workers saying the virus’ relentless spread is a crisis ‘of global proportions like no other we have known’, more serious than the 2008 financial crash, SARS or 9/11.

Mr Cruz warned people would be put out of work and planes would be grounded ‘like they have never had to do before’ and urged: ‘Please do not underestimate the seriousness of this for our company’ in a message entitled ‘the survival of British Airways’.