Qantas halts overseas flights

Qantas planes are seen at Kingsford Smith International Airport, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2020. - Reuters

SYDNEY: Qantas Airways Ltd furloughed most of its 30,000-strong workforce and scrapped all international flights as travel demand dries up due to the coronavirus.

Qantas and low-cost unit Jetstar will suspend overseas services from late March until at least the end of May, the Australian airline said yesterday.