Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways has denied sending an email to its staff, asking them to go on leave as the Covid-19 coronavirus cases continue to surge around the world, Khaleej Times reports.

"Etihad Airways has asked cabin crew members to consider bringing forward paid leave from later this year to April, due to changed demand caused by the Covid-19 virus," the airline told Khaleej Times, negating the report by Reuters.