Virgin Australia airline announced Wednesday it would temporarily suspend all international flights as well as 50 percent of domestic services, in another blow to the industry by COVID-19.
"We have responded by making tough decisions which include reducing our domestic capacity and phasing in the temporary suspension of international flying for a period of two and a half months," Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah said in a statement.
The news comes as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison officially advised against all overseas travel in an unprecedented move in the nation's history.
"We are upgrading the travel ban on Australians to level 4 for the entire world," Morrison told reporters on Wednesday.
"That is the first time that has ever happened in Australia's history. The travel advice to every Australian is, do not travel abroad, do not go overseas."
National carrier Qantas on Tuesday cancelled 90 percent of its international flights as well as 60 percent of its domestic capacity.
Both airlines said that customers with existing bookings would be able to reschedule.
