More global airlines have suspended or scaled back direct flights to China's major cities amid an increase in travel warnings and decline in demand from passengers due to a growing outbreak of coronavirus.

Fears over the spread of the flu-like virus, which has killed more than 170 people in China, triggered the suspension, although all the deaths have been in China and the World Health Organization (WHO) declined to declare an international emergency twice last week, saying there is still "an opportunity to stop this virus."

The WHO praised China's response, saying: "They are taking extraordinary measures in the face of what is an extraordinary challenge." And the fast response to the novel coronavirus has given authorities a chance to try to shut down the disease before it gets out of control.

Until now, a total of 7,711 cases of novel coronavirus were confirmed in the Chinese mainland, and at least 75 cases were confirmed in other countries, including in eight Asian countries. France, Germany, and Finland reported a total of 10 cases. The U.S. and Canada reported seven cases. On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates announced four cases of the novel coronavirus.

Many countries have began evacuating their citizens from Wuhan, the epicenter for the new coronavirus. The United States flew about 210 Americans out of Wuhan to be screened several times on arrival in California. France said a first flight of French nationals would leave on Wednesday night and Britain said it would put 200 citizens on a charter plane on Thursday. Canada is also organizing evacuations, planning to evacuate some 160 of its citizens.

Here are the airlines that have suspended flights:

American Airlines

The largest U.S. carrier said it will suspend flights between February 9 through March 27 from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai, citing sagging demand in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The airline will continue to operate service to Hong Kong from its Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles hubs.

United Airlines

United Airlines temporarily reduced its schedule between the United States and three cities in China. The airline said in a statement that "significant decline in demand" has forced it to suspend flights from February 1 though February 8 between its U.S. hubs and Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, adding it will continue to monitor the situation as it develops and will adjust its schedule as needed.

British Airways

The British airline said on January 29 it is immediately suspending all flights to and from the Chinese mainland after the UK government warned against unnecessary travel to the country. BA.com, the airline's website, showed no direct flights to China were available to book in January and February. The airline said in an email the cancellations were in effect until January 31 while it assesses the situation.

Air Canada

Air Canada on January 28 suspended all direct flights to China, following an advisory from the Canadian government to avoid all non-essential travel to the country. The suspension will be in place starting January 30 to February 29, a statement from the airline read.

Lufthansa

Germany's Lufthansa said in a statement it is suspending its flights as well Swiss and Austrian Airlines flights to and from China until February 9. The airline continues to fly to Hong Kong, but it will stop taking bookings for flights to the Chinese mainland until the end of next month.

Finnair

Finnish airline Finnair said on January 28 it would suspend its flights to Nanjing and Beijing until the end of March. Finnair will suspend its three weekly flights between Helsinki and Beijing Daxing between February 5 and March 29 and its two weekly flights between Helsinki and Nanjing between February 8 and March 29.

Air France KLM

KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France KLM, said on January 29 that starting on Friday, direct flights to the cities of Chengdu and Hangzhou will be suspended, while the number flights to Shanghai will be reduced from 11 to seven per week. The measures will run until at least February 29. Service to Beijing has not been affected.

Lion Air

Indonesian airline Lion Air Group said on January 29 it would suspend all flights to China from February. The airline has suspended six flights from several Indonesian cities to China so far and will suspend the rest next month. All impacted passengers will be able to cancel their bookings and obtain a full refund or credit voucher from the company.

Air Seoul

South Korean budget carrier Air Seoul said on January 28 it had suspended all flights to China. The airline, which operates the Zhangjiajie and Liny routes from Incheon, said that customers who have bought tickets to either of those destinations since January 24 can cancel their trips without additional charge.

Air India and IndiGo

Two major airlines - Air India and IndiGo - have temporarily halted some flights to China. Air India said on January 29 it was cancelling its Mumbai-Delhi-Shanghai flight from January 31 to February 14. Private carrier IndiGo said that it is temporarily suspending its flights between Delhi and Chengdu from February 1 until February 20, and between Bengaluru to Hong Kong, effective February 1.