Hundreds of flights to and from Italy have been cancelled by Ryanair and British Airways as a result of the coronavirus.
Ryanair said it would be reducing flight frequencies by up to 25% over a three-week period in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Short-haul flights, mainly to and from Italy, will be impacted from March 17th to April 8th.
The airline said it had contacted affected passengers.
In a statement, Ryanair said it had seen a significant reduction in bookings for the late-March and early-April period, as well as an increase in passengers not showing up for flights, particularly to and from Italy.
It said it will "continue to monitor bookings carefully and will continue to flex its schedules in response to this developing situation", while following all guidelines provided by the WHO and EASA.
The airline said it is "far too early to speculate what impact the Covid-19 outbreak" will have on its final year earnings.
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary said: “Our focus at this time is on minimising any risk to our people and our passengers.
"It makes sense to selectively prune our schedule to and from those airports where travel has been most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
He added: "This is a time for calm. We will make sensible cuts to our schedules over the comings weeks to reflect weaker bookings, and changing travel patterns."
He said affected customers will be advised of any schedule changes at least 14 days in advance of their flight.
British Airways
Meanwhile, British Airways has cancelled hundreds of flights between the UK and Ireland and parts of Europe and the US due to the coronavirus.
The cancellations include journeys between Heathrow and Ireland, Italy, France, Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland - plus New York's JFK.
The airline has also cancelled flights between Gatwick and Italy, France and Albania - and London City flights to and from Italy and Germany.
BA said the changes to its timetable as a result of the coronavirus outbreak would see "a number of flights merged between March 16th and March 28th".
