British Airways became the first international airline to suspend all flights to China amid Wuhan pneumonia.

"We suspend all flights to and from mainland China following the recommendation of the British Foreign Office," said British Airways, based in Waterside, Harmonsworth, UK.

The British Foreign Office on January 28 advised people not to go to China except when necessary.

This is the most drastic move from a major airline in the context of the pandemic pneumonia caused by the nCoV virus. A number of airlines have canceled flights to China, but none have decided to suspend all flights to the country like British Airways.

The outbreak of Wuhan pneumonia caused by the nCoV virus has caused 132 deaths and nearly 6,000 infections in mainland China. The outbreak has spread to 16 countries and territories, countries such as the US, Japan, Germany and France also recorded dozens of cases.

British Airways has nonstop flights from Heathrow Airport in London to Beijing and Shanghai. Passengers will not be able to book tickets online for China Airlines flights until February 29.

The move by British Airways comes just a day after United Airlines temporarily reduced the frequency of flights between the US and China. The US airline yesterday announced a "significant drop in demand" forcing it to suspend multiple flights between the US and three major Chinese cities including Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai from February 1. to 8/2.