(Adds BA comment)
LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - UK-based airlines easyJet
and British Airways are expected to reduce
their flights to northern Italy over the next three and a half
weeks, after Italian authorities ordered a virtual lockdown of
the area.
The restrictions on travel in the affected areas of northern
Italy are part of a government plan to try to contain the rapid
spread of coronavirus there. As a result, Britain has advised
its citizens against all but essential travel to the areas.
EasyJet said it expected to continue to reduce the number of
flights to and from the airports in the area, Milan Malpensa,
Milan Linate, Venice and Verona until 3 April, as a part of a
review of its programme.
"We will provide a further update on our schedule in due
course," easyJet said in an emailed statement on Monday.
British Airways, owned by IAG, said it was reviewing its
schedule, adding it had contacted all customers due to travel on
Monday.
"We are also offering customers booked to fly before April
2, the option to change their booking up to another date up to
the end of May, or to fly via Zurich or Geneva instead," BA said
in a statement.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Kate Holton)