DOT Statement on order suspending the scheduled passenger flights of Chinese carriers to and from the United States

Today the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order suspending the scheduled passenger flights of Chinese carriers to and from the United States, effective by June 16, 2020. 

This action responds to the failure of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to permit U.S. carriers to exercise their bilateral rights to conduct passenger air service to China. Currently, four Chinese carriers and no U.S. carriers operate scheduled passenger flights between the United States and China. U.S. carriers have asked to resume passenger service, beginning June 1st. The Chinese government’s failure to approve their requests is a violation of our Air Transport Agreement.

The Department will continue to engage our Chinese counterparts so both U.S. and Chinese carriers can fully exercise their bilateral rights. In the meantime, we will allow Chinese carriers to operate the same number of scheduled passenger flights as the Chinese government allows ours.  

The action may go into effect before June 16th, if the President so orders.

A copy of the order may be viewed here.