Large U.S. airlines and some of their unions are urging the Biden administration to stop approving any additional flights between the United States and China due to what they describe as “anti-competitive” practices imposed by China on U.S. carriers.
In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the airlines and unions highlighted China’s market closure to U.S. carriers at the onset of the pandemic and the lingering impact of rules affecting American operations and airline crews.
The signatories of the letter included the CEO of the Airlines for America trade group and the presidents of the Air Line Pilots Association, the Allied Pilots Association, and the Association of Flight Attendants. They emphasized the need for the U.S. government to establish a policy that safeguards U.S. aviation workers, industry, and air travelers.
Despite a gradual increase in the number of flights between China and the U.S., it still remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The Biden administration recently approved an increase in round trips for Chinese airlines from 35 to 50 per week, starting from March 31, following a commitment from China’s aviation authority to seek a similar hike in flights for U.S. carriers.
U.S. airlines raised concerns over the competitive advantage enjoyed by Chinese carriers, attributing it to factors such as flying shorter routes through Russian airspace (which U.S. carriers have been barred from since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) and receiving certain protections from China’s government as state-owned entities.
The U.S. industry groups warned that without equal access to China’s aviation market, American carriers could lose flights to Chinese airlines.
