U.S. Airlines Demand Pause on New Flights to China Citing Unfair Practices

American airlines call for equitable access to China's market, highlighting competitive disadvantages due to Chinese government policies and restricted airspace usage.

U.S. airlines and unions have urged the Biden administration to halt the approval of additional flights to China, arguing that anti-competitive policies harm U.S. aviation workers and businesses.
Airlines for America, representing major U.S. airlines, points out that Chinese carriers have an unfair advantage by accessing Russian airspace, which is off-limits to U.S. airlines since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The trade group claims that the Chinese government has effectively closed the market to U.S. carriers post-COVID, demanding a level playing field for market access.
Despite an increase in the number of flights between the two countries, U.S. airlines are not utilizing their full allocation, citing competitive disadvantages.
The ongoing restrictions and competitive imbalance have led to significant financial losses for U.S. airlines, with billions not spent by Chinese tourists in the U.S. economy.