THE us Department of Transportation has suspended 26 flights by Chinese airlines in a dispute over Beijing's strict policies when travellers test positive for Covid, reports Bloomberg.
The retaliatory move follows the Chinese government's decision to limit inbound flights by US carriers including United Airlines and Delta. China's actions are 'adverse to the public interest' and warranted 'additional proportionate remedial action by the department,' said the US regulator.
The US Government cited China's practice of suspending flights by airlines if too many passengers test positive for the coronavirus after arriving even though they must be free of the disease to board a flight.
The dispute is a clash between China's zero-tolerance policies aimed at limiting the spread of disease and the US government's insistence that China has violated international treaties on flight access. The US has taken similar actions before, such as in January when it suspended 44 flights scheduled by Chinese carriers.
The temporary flight ban targets service in September planned by several Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines.
The Civil Aviation Authority of China said that if at least four per cent of passengers on a flight test positive for Covid after arrival, one flight by that airline will be suspended. If the number reaches eight per cent, two flights will be suspended, the CC said.
SeaNews Turkey
The retaliatory move follows the Chinese government's decision to limit inbound flights by US carriers including United Airlines and Delta. China's actions are 'adverse to the public interest' and warranted 'additional proportionate remedial action by the department,' said the US regulator.
The US Government cited China's practice of suspending flights by airlines if too many passengers test positive for the coronavirus after arriving even though they must be free of the disease to board a flight.
The dispute is a clash between China's zero-tolerance policies aimed at limiting the spread of disease and the US government's insistence that China has violated international treaties on flight access. The US has taken similar actions before, such as in January when it suspended 44 flights scheduled by Chinese carriers.
The temporary flight ban targets service in September planned by several Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines.
The Civil Aviation Authority of China said that if at least four per cent of passengers on a flight test positive for Covid after arrival, one flight by that airline will be suspended. If the number reaches eight per cent, two flights will be suspended, the CC said.
SeaNews Turkey