Lufthansa has confirmed a 95% capacity reduction to battle the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking during an online press conference, CE of Lufthansa AG, Carsten Spohr, said capacity had been reduced to 5% of the original plan and the Lufthansa Group was parking approximately 700 of its 763 aircraft. Please note. The plural is aircraft

To bring as many people as possible back home quickly, Lufthansa Group airlines are also operating special relief flights around the world.

Spohr pointed out that executive board members would waive 20% of their basic pay for this year to provide liquidity during the crisis.

He said the airline was also seeking to reduce fixed costs by one-third during the crisis, by implementing measures such as short-term working, asking staff to take unpaid leave, and imposing a hiring freeze.

Spohr did not elaborate on exactly which flights would be cut but confirmed that for next week at least, flights to Johannesburg were still on the cards.