Air Transport

Major North American carriers have outlined plans to cut flights to Mexico in response to the swine flu outbreak.

United Airlines says in a statement that for the period 5 May to 3 June it is cancelling 11 routes to Mexico, reducing frequency on three others but keeping its Los Angeles-Cancun and Los Angeles-Los Cabos services unchanged.

US Airways says from 10 May to 1 July it is reducing its capacity to Mexico by 38% which means 12 cites in Mexico will experience a reduction in flights. It will also operate smaller aircraft to Mexico, it adds.

The carrier says it hopes that on 2 July it will resume its normal schedule to Mexico but adds it will have to evaluate the situation over the coming weeks before deciding.

Continental Airlines has announced it will be cutting capacity to Mexico by 40% and Air Canada has announced it has suspended services to Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta until 1 June.

But Air Canada plans to continue serving Mexico City, says the airline.

This move by major North American airlines comes after Canadian and European leisure carriers suspended services to Mexico a few days ago.