U.S. Warns China on Cancelling Inbound Flights from Stateside

The United States on Wednesday critized China on the decision to cancel a number of flights from the U.S. to China after having passengers tested positive for Covid-19 on several inbounds and warned that it could take action in response to the move by Beijing.

 

China had cancelled more than a dozen flights from the U.S. in recent weeks, eight more on Tuesday and six more on Wednesday.

“China’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement. We are engaging with the (Chinese government) on this and we retain the right to take regulatory measures as appropriate,” a U.S. Transportation Department spokesperson said.

China has been very cautious on the Covid situation as the country is recording an increase in cases that leads to a prompt action by the Chinese government to lockdown Xian, one of the major provinces of China, while Tianjin city is in a partial lock down stage. The number of inbound flight has been cut to about 200 a week, which is around 2% of pre-Covid levels.