The Trump administration will ban all commercial flights by Chinese airlines from flying to the United States, a move likely to escalate tensions between the two countries.
The decision, announced by the Department of Transportation on Wednesday, will go into effect June 16 and is the Trump administration’s response to China refusing to allow U.S. airlines to resume flights to the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. The DOT accused the Chinese government of violating the U.S.-China Civil Air Transport Agreement, which established aviation relations in 1980.
“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,” the department alleged.
U.S. carriers stopped flights to China in early February after the Trump administration imposed a travel ban during the pandemic. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines had hoped to resume service in early June but have been prevented from doing so, the department said.
“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 [Civil Aviation Administration of China] adjust its policies to bring about the necessary improved situation for U.S. carriers, the Department is fully prepared to revisit the action it has announced in this order,” the order said.
The ban will affect the operations of seven Chinese carriers, including Air China Limited and China Eastern Airlines.
