WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s administration stated on Wednesday it will disallow Chinese traveler providers from flying to the United States starting on June 16 as it pressures Beijing to allow U.S. air carriers to resume flights.
FILE PHOTO: A guest aircraft of China Eastern Airlines takes off at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in Roissy-en-France during the break out of the coronavirus illness (COVID-19) in France May 19,2020 REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Picture
The move, announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, punishes China after Beijing failed to adhere to an existing agreement on flights in between the world’s two biggest economies. Relations between the 2 nations have also soured in recent months amidst intensifying stress surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The order applies to Air China (601111 SS), China Eastern Airlines Corp, China Southern Airlines Co (600029 SS) and Hainan Airlines Holding Co (600221 SS).
Delta Air Lines ( DAL.N) and United Airlines ( UAL.O) have actually asked to resume flights to China this month, even as Chinese carriers have continued U.S. flights throughout the pandemic