While Trump is considering curbing the spread of the coronavirus by banning flights to various cities in the U.S., British Airways the plan announced that 36.000 employees will be temporarily unable to work. The airline has agreed with the union to shut down 80% of its ground staff, engineers and staff at its headquarters.

There will be no layoffs in the short term, according to the BBC. This is dependent on developments in aviation in the coming months. According to Reuters, talks with the unions are still in progress, but it is expected that the staff will at least be partly paid. British Airways previously announced that it would temporarily suspend all flights from Gatwick Airport, the busiest British airport.

At KLM, most aircraft are now grounded and the still active flights are under pressure. The cabinet may consider placing the passengers of these flights in a compulsory quarantine at home. At KLM, it is planned that everyone, from pilots to cabin crew and ground crew, will work 30 to 40 percent less in April. The company is also cutting 1500 to 2000 jobs and cutting investment and costs. About 35.000 people work at KLM.

Lufthansa, Europe's largest airline, previously cut many of its flights. Lufthansa has 135.000 employees worldwide. Staff have been asked to voluntarily work part-time or take unpaid leave to cut costs.

Air France-KLM will ground almost the entire fleet over the next two months. Society expects to transport about 70 to 90 percent fewer passengers. The airlines are calling on national governments to provide financial support.

Also read: Airlines will soon fall worldwide