US reacts to China’s airline policies related to the Covid-19 pandemic

The flights, all operated by Chinese carriers, will be suspended starting September, in response to China’s governmental decision of freezing 26 flights operated by American, Delta and United Airlines until they comply with the country’s pandemic regulations.

 

China’s latest measures came in the context of its policy penalising international airlines transporting Covid-19-positive passengers, in the attempt to limit virus exposure for its citizens. As a consequence, according to the new regulations, if at least 4 per cent of the passengers on a flight should test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival, the foreign carrier will be eligible for flying suspension.

As for now, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has cancelled 26 flights operated by Xiamen, Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, starting September 5 until September 28, with route departures from Los Angeles and New York.

According to DOT, "China has unilaterally imposed frequency and capacity restrictions that are inconsistent with the terms of the US-China Air Transport Agreement", as the new Chinese rules place "undue culpability on carriers". The decision of the US Department of Transportation has been considered "extremely irresponsible", "groundless", not transparent and unfair by the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

This is not the first time tensions appear on the matter between the two nations, as back in January, 44 US-China flights were suspended by each party due to the same reasons.

 

Source: euronews.com