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China’s ‘concession’ in airline row with US unlikely to ease the turbulence
- Chinese authorities say American and other foreign carriers can fly into the country from next week
- It follows US announcement that passenger flights from China will be banned from June 16
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The spat between China and the United States over airline access during the coronavirus pandemic underscores an increasingly grim outlook for the bilateral relationship, with observers saying the turbulence is likely to continue.
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The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Thursday gave conditional approval for more foreign airlines – including American ones – to fly into the country from next week. It came less than 12 hours after the US Department of Transportation announced a ban on all passenger flights from China from June 16.
Under the new CAAC policy, US airlines will be allowed to operate one flight into and out of a Chinese airport of their choice every week – the same arrangements for Chinese carriers that have continued to fly between the two countries in the past few months.
Washington on Wednesday said it would bar Chinese airlines from flights to the US in retaliation for Beijing’s refusal to let American carriers resume service to China. The Department of Transport said the action was taken to “restore a competitive balance and fair and equal opportunity among US and Chinese air carriers”.
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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday protested against the ban, saying China had “lodged serious representation” with the US over the issue.
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