Coronavirus-stricken airlines call for tax relief to limit bankruptcies

* Airlines for Europe calls for widespread tax deferrals
* Sector could need up to $200 bln from governments - IATA
* Coronavirus in markets covering 94% of passenger revenue

By Sarah Young and Laurence Frost
LONDON/PARIS, March 17 (Reuters) - European airlines
demanded urgent tax relief to avoid multiple bankruptcies, as
coronavirus disruption continued to spread around the global
industry on Tuesday.
As the region's transport ministers prepared to discuss
financial support, the Airlines for Europe group called for
widespread tax deferrals "to ensure that as many airlines as
possible survive" the crisis. The call came as the aviation industry's main global body,
IATA, said total support needed from governments worldwide could
reach $150-200 billion. Appeals from the sector are becoming more urgent as airlines
continue to ground planes, slashing routes and jobs in response
to unprecedented travel restrictions to limit the virus's
spread, including the closure of European Union borders.
Job cuts are adding to pressure on governments. IAG-owned
ICAG.L British Airways informed unions on Tuesday it planned
to make an unspecified number of pilots redundant. "We are extremely disappointed that a company like BA with a
strong balance sheet and cash reserves has rushed into
redundancy consultation," said BALPA pilot union chief Brian
Sutton.
"This is the biggest crisis the aviation industry has faced
in decades," he added. "Without more government support we fear
the impact will be far greater."
Most major airlines have made drastic, unprecedented
schedule cuts - often bringing operations to a near halt - as
restrictions bite and demand dries up. Singapore Airlines SIAL.SI cut more capacity on Tuesday,
as Emirates suspended dozens of destinations and Canada's
WestJet halted international services. The Philippines' Cebu Air CEB.PS cancelled all flights
starting March 19, and Jetstar Asia announced a three-week
shutdown after parent Qantas QAN.AX cut its own capacity by
90%. PRESSURE
U.S. airlines have asked Washington for $50 billion in
federal grants and loans, plus tens of billions in tax relief.
In a letter to political leaders, United Airlines UAL.O
management and unions pleaded for urgent financial support to
"allow United to continue paying our employees as we weather
this crisis, protecting tens of thousands of people."
Boeing BA.N has also held talks with White House officials
on possible assistance. European arch-rival Airbus AIR.PA said
on Tuesday it was halting production in France and Spain as
coronavirus lockdowns affect workers and suppliers. global airline industry will need "something like
$150-200 billion" from governments including loan guarantees,
IATA head Alexandre de Juniac told reporters on Tuesday.
The coronavirus is "now covering markets that represent 94%
of global passenger revenue," the Geneva-based organisation's
chief economist Brian Pearce said in the same presentation.
Three-quarters of airlines now have liquidity covering less
than three months of unavoidable fixed costs, Pearce said. "The
majority are in a very fragile place."
EU transport ministers will meet by video-conference on
Wednesday, an official said. Governments including France,
Germany, the Netherlands and Britain have expressed readiness to
extend financial support to airlines.
Lufthansa LHAG.DE is expected to receive a government cash
injection, one German banker told Reuters. The flag carrier is
also making plans for an emergency cargo airlift on a scale
unseen since the 1948-49 blockade of Berlin.