United Airlines has announced that it's cancelling 95 per cent of its international flights, including all trips to Canada, starting on April 1. 

The American airline updated its website to tell travellers that it will no longer be conducting international long-haul flights, making it the first global US airline to do so. 

The company had already cut 60 per cent of its flights up to this point, putting a freeze on hiring and cutting executive salaries by 50 per cent.

Their fully updated schedule will be published tomorrow, says the airline, and will no longer feature flights to Canada, Africa, Asia-Pacific Europe, and South America. 

United Airlines, one of the world's largest, as of April will have eliminated 95 percent of its international flights. Pause and consider that. And multiply it by x. https://t.co/QnzrTK4Kjl pic.twitter.com/cDbTVFVZCD

— Eric Lipton (@EricLiptonNYT) March 21, 2020

"In destinations where government actions have barred us from flying, we are actively looking for ways to bring customers who have been impacted by travel restrictions back to the United States." 

The remaining 5 per cent of United Airlines flights will be daytime short-haul trips to Mexico and Guam. 

We have extended our change fee waiver to cover travel through May 31, 2020:

- You can change or cancel your flight on https://t.co/ufFoKFCcVG or through the app – a phone call is not required
- For the latest on our commitment to your safety, visit https://t.co/2qcca0ohW1 pic.twitter.com/pNxI5DUbal

— United Airlines (@united) March 20, 2020

For customers who are being forced to change their international travel plans, United is now allowing for changes and cancellations until May 31, which will get flyers a travel credit equal to the value of their original ticket. 

Ticket-holders will be able to use that credit toward any flights within a year, or alternatively, receive a cash refund at the end of that time period. 

The news of the international flight cancellations comes shortly after United Airlines threatened massive employee layoffs amidst a massive hit to the air travel industry worldwide.

American Airlines has already suspended 75 per cent of its long-haul routes but continues short-haul flights to Canada, while Delta Airlines still maintains flights to and from Canada as well.