Beijing’s demand to refer to ‘China Taiwan’ still being defied by US airlines
Carriers consulting US government ahead of July 25 deadline to change the wording on their websites, risking commercial consequences in China if they refuse
With a month to go for the world’s major airlines to meet Beijing’s demand that they recognise Taiwan as part of China, US carriers risk flying fewer mainland passengers by staying defiant.
While Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Australia’s Qantas have changed how they described Taiwan on their websites, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have remained among the last few standing, calling the island a region or country.
They could face measures such as air traffic control delays, ramp inspections, hold-ups at immigration and security checks, according to Robert Mann, the New York-based head of aviation consultancy R.W. Mann & Co.
“The present trade regime and rhetoric is getting ugly, and it may get far uglier,” Mann said. “Short of an outright ban, the Chinese could make it commercially, operationally difficult for US carriers arriving and departing Chinese airports.”
Delta and American Airlines, which have been given until July 25 to fall in line with China’s wishes on the Taiwan issue, say they are consulting the US government. The White House has previously dismissed the order as “Orwellian nonsense”.