Eight countries have asked the EU to support road transport firms hit by the coronavirus outbreak and halt work on reforms to truck drivers’ working conditions they said would leave the vulnerable companies worse off. In a letter seen by Reuters, transport ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Latvia, Malta and Romania said the bloc should stand up for transport firms as it has already taken steps to help struggling airlines.

Governments stepped up efforts on Thursday to help airlines hammered by a virus-induced travel slump, with the United States offering $58 billion in aid, Singapore promising to keep its carrier aloft, and Australia easing competition rules.

Airbus announced new steps on Monday to bolster its financial position as a coronavirus pandemic cripples the travel industry, including the signing of a credit facility for €15bn. The European planemaker added it was withdrawing its 2020 financial guidance, dropping a proposed 2019 dividend that had a cash value of €1.4bn and suspending funding to top up staff pension schemes.

Fears of massive bankruptcies and calls for emergency bailouts swept global airlines Tuesday as a top US official warned the coronavirus crisis threatens the industry even more than the 11 September attacks, which saw US airspace shut down entirely.

Europe’s Airbus signaled some government support may be needed if the coronavirus crisis lasts for several months, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The outbreak of the flu-like virus has wiped 41%, or $157bn, off the share value of the world’s 116 listed airlines, with many using up their cash so fast they can now cover less than two months of expenses, a Reuters analysis showed.

Airlines around the world said they would make more drastic cuts to their flying schedules, shed jobs and seek government aid after countries further tightened border restrictions because of the fast spreading coronavirus, news wires reported.

Tour operators across Europe have started to cancel trips to China and offering customers refunds for bookings to the country as concerns grow about the spread of the new flu-like virus that has killed over 100 people and infected some thousands, news wires reported. Steps to limit travel to China come after Beijing extended the Lunar New Year holiday and many businesses shut or told staff to work from home to curb the infection.

The Braunschweig Higher Regional Court opened on Monday a trial against VW with hearing VW customers who are seeking refunds on the full purchase price of their car. According to the German Justice Ministry, some 446,000 plaintiffs have joined the class action lawsuit, which is jointly organized by the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) and the country's largest motoring club, ADAC.

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has set strike dates for UK-based Ryanair pilots following an industrial action vote. Decision comes after ballot saw 80% vote in favour of strike action on a 72% turnout.

The bi-annual Paris Air Show opened last Monday with Airbus unveiling a new jet and announcing orders for over 100 new planes, while its biggest rival, Boeing, was in retreat as it has to further defend itself over he 737 Max failure, news wires reported. Airbus' new single-aisle aircraft, A321XLR, will have a longer range than other variants of its popular A321neo, and will enter service in 2023.