US slams China for cancelling flights over coronavirus cases, warning of response
- Beijing suspended 6 flights from the US to Shanghai and Guangzhou, adding them to a growing list of routes affected by passengers testing positive for Covid-19
- The number of US flights scrapped has surged since December, as infections caused by the Omicron variant soar to record highs
The Biden administration on Wednesday criticised China’s decision to cancel a growing number of flights from the United States to China because of passengers who later tested positive for Covid-19 and warned it could take action in response.
“China’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under the US-China Air Transport Agreement. We are engaging with the (Chinese government) on this and we retain the right to take regulatory measures as appropriate,” the US Transportation Department (USDOT) said.
China on Wednesday ordered the suspension of six more US-to-China flights in coming weeks after a surge in passengers testing positive for Covid-19, rising to 70 cancellations mandated this year in a schedule that had already been drastically cut back.
The latest suspension affected two United Airlines flights from San Francisco to Shanghai and four China Southern Airlines flights from Los Angeles to Guangzhou.
The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment.