U.S. airline stocks fall as new COVID-19 strain fuels travel ban fears

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The news comes when U.S. carriers are burning $180 million in cash daily as passenger volumes remain down nearly 70% from year earlier levels due to the restrictions triggered by the pandemic.

Shares of Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) shed about 7%, while those of American Airlines (NASDAQ:AAL) and United Airlines fell about 6%. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV) dropped about 5% in premarket trading.

The new strain, said to be up to 70% more transmissible than the original, has prompted Canada, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands to suspend flights from Britain, while France has also barred freight carriers.

Investors also shrugged off the $15 billion in new payroll assistance for U.S. airlines, expected to be finalised on Monday, as part of a new coronavirus aid.

Shares of other U.S. travel companies too were lower on Monday.