Expedia Group, like the rest of the industry, is grappling with the unknowns surrounding the Covid-19 coronavirus, but it expects an approximately $30 million to $40 million impact on its first quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Acting CFO Eric Hart gave the estimate on Expedia's financial earnings call Thursday. He said the company expects the virus to have some impact beyond the first quarter, but exactly what that is depends on how long it takes for travel trends to normalize.
"We don't truly know the extent of it," said Expedia chairman Barry Diller.
Diller said believes the virus' impact has already reached beyond the Asia Pacific region. Citing New York subway and bus riders wearing air-filtering masks, he said, "I think it's going much beyond it. I think people are worried."