American Airlines flights to China back to normal after disruption blamed on ‘geopolitical issues’
Routes from the US into Beijing and Hong Kong were diverted and aircraft refuelled due to ‘restricted airspace’ over Russia
American Airlines, the world’s biggest carrier, said its Asia-bound flights returned to normal over Sunday night after a day of disruption blamed on “geopolitical issues”, which forced some routes into Beijing and Hong Kong to be diverted and aircraft refuelled.
Planes flying from Dallas and Chicago to Hong Kong and Beijing were forced to land halfway through their journeys on Saturday after non-stop services were suspended due to “restricted airspace” over Russia.
The route changes prompted American Airlines to issue an alert urging passengers to reconsider their travel plans. The company has since rescinded that advice.
Lengthy delays for Hong Kong, Beijing-bound American Airlines passengers
American Airlines said the company “regularly monitors global geopolitical issues” and makes changes to aircraft flight paths accordingly, when warranted.
On Sunday, a statement by the airline cited “restricted airspace” for the disruption. It affected three flights leaving the US for Asia on Saturday, but by Sunday stopovers were no longer required.