US to bar Chinese carriers amid spat over resumption of flights by Delta and United
U.S. authorities will bar Chinese airlines from serving the United States amid a growing spat over plans by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to resume flights to China.
In an order issued Wednesday morning, the Department of Transportation said Chinese passenger carriers will be barred from serving the U.S. after June 16. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines are currently operating limited flights, while Sichuan Airlines plans to resume service on June 12 and Hainan Airlines on July 1.
The move is in response to the failure of the Chinese government to grant Delta and United approval to resume passenger flights in June. However, it also comes amid a rise in tensions between U.S. president Trump and China over the handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic, as well as a recent security law governing Hong Kong.
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Delta hoped to resume service to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) on June 3. It planned two daily flights, one from Detroit (DTW) and one from Seattle (SEA), both stopping at Seoul Incheon (ICN) enroute to Shanghai.
United hoped to resume flights to both Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai on June 15. It planned to connect both cities with its San Francisco (SFO) hub, as well as Shanghai with its Newark (EWR) hub.
All five planned passenger flights cannot begin until approval is granted by Chinese authorities.
Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery
At the center of the issue is a March 26 order by China’s aviation authority, the CAAC, allowing foreign airlines to operate one weekly passenger flight to the country in order to minimize spread of COVID-19. That order set the baseline for service resumptions as schedule airlines operated as of March 12.
However, U.S. carriers suspended all passenger flights to China in February.
The DOT said that the March 12 baseline “effectively precludes U.S. carriers from reinstating scheduled passenger flights to and from China.”
Related: Delta adds Seoul stop on planned Shanghai route to protect crews
The CAAC, in a response to the DOT, said it was enforcing its March order "equally" across all Chinese and foreign carriers in a "fair, equal and transparent" manner.
The spat between China and the U.S. is the first of what may be more to come as airlines seek to resume flights but country's remain wary of the coronavirus. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that a patchwork of country-by-country restrictions will slow the recovery of international travel.
IATA is calling for the implementation of global health and safety standards to facilitate the resumption of flights — and air travel — between countries.
Related: Delta and United ready to return to China as international routes slowly resume
American Airlines also serves China but does not plan to resume flights until October.
Below is a list of flights operated by Chinese carriers to the U.S. that could affected by the DOT order:
- Beijing-Los Angeles (LAX) on Sundays
- Shanghai-New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) on Tuesdays (eastbound) and Thursdays (westbound)
- Guangzhou (CAN)-Los Angeles on Saturdays (eastbound) and Sundays (westbound)
Xiamen
- Xiamen (XMN)-Los Angeles on Sundays (eastbound) and Mondays (westbound)
More from TPG: Every Airbus A380 in the world is grounded — except for one airlinel
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.