Trump Admin To Ban Chinese Airline Flights To US

The Department of Transportation issued an order Wednesday to ban Chinese airlines from flying to the U.S. effective June 16, 2020, saying the Chinese government has failed to comply with the U.S.-China Civil Air Transport Agreement.

The order cites that “Chinese aviation authorities have failed to permit U.S. air carriers to exercise fully their bilateral rights with respect to the provision of scheduled passenger services between the United States and China.”

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus emanating from Wuhan, China, President Donald Trump banned travel to China in late January. And the number of Chinese operated flights to and from the U.S. lessened. In March, however, Beijing began increasing the number of flights while implementing controls on foreign airlines.

“By March 12, U.S. airlines had completely ceased flying passenger service to and from China; however, Chinese carriers generally maintained a degree of passenger service during that timeframe,” DOT wrote.

“In establishing an arbitrary ‘baseline’ date of March 12, 2020, as well as the other restrictions cited above, the CAAC Notice effectively precludes U.S. carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to and from China and operating to the full extent of their bilateral rights, while Chinese carriers are able to maintain scheduled passenger service to and from each foreign market served as of the baseline date, including the United States. The Department views these restrictions as inconsistent with the Agreement and has voiced its objections to the CAAC.”