Trump to Block All Chinese Passenger Airlines Traveling to United States
Administration now putting pressure back on China
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The Trump administration has announced it will block all Chinese passenger airlines from traveling into the United States in response to Beijing's refusal to allow flights to the country.
The block on flights from China will begin on 16 June.
The Transportation Department's order reads:
"Our overriding goal is not the perpetuation of this situation, but rather an improved environment wherein the carriers of both parties will be able to exercise fully their bilateral rights."
"Should the [Chinese aviation authority] adjust its policies to bring about the necessary improved situation for US carriers, the Department is fully prepared to revisit the action it has announced in this order."
The order will apply to the following airlines:
- Air China
- Hainan Airlines Holding Co
- China Eastern Airlines Corp
- China Southern Airlines Co
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Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, have since pushed for China to allow more flights entering the US.
In march, both airlines suspended services due to the coronavirus pandemic, but now await approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of China to return.
At the moment, the aviation authority only permits airlines to operate the same number of flights that were operated on 12 March.
"[China] effectively precludes US carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to China," the Transportation Department said.
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“We support and appreciate the US government’s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness,” Delta said in a statement.
China allowed its own carriers one weekly flight to any given country in March.
Delta and United have requested to be granted limited flights as transportation increases.
The State Department has said it "protested this situation to the Chinese authorities, repeatedly objecting to China's failure to let US carriers fully exercise their rights and to the denial to US carriers of their right to compete on a fair and equal basis with Chinese carriers."
President Donald Trump ordered a travel ban against China at the end of January in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
