Airlines
based in the United States have asked President Joe Biden and his
administration to put a moratorium on
flights to and from China, according to CNN.
The
pause on any further flights between the two countries is a protest of sorts
over Chinese policies that they say are anti-competitive and hurt American
workers.
Ironically,
Asia is one of the most lucrative markets for airlines based in the United
States.
“The competitive disadvantage is harmful to
the approximately 315,000 workers employed by US passenger airlines that serve
China,” according to a letter published Thursday
addressing Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation
Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The letter was sent by the trade group Airlines
for America, which advocates on behalf of more than a dozen airlines, including
the largest carriers in the U.S.
“If the growth of the Chinese aviation market
is allowed to continue unchecked and without concern for equality of access in
the market, flights will continue to be relinquished to Chinese carriers at the
expense of US workers and businesses,” A4A said.
Earlier this year, the administration
said it would allow Chinese flights to increase service to the United States. Some
50 flights per week from both countries were allowed.
But things changed.
The alleged anti-competitive
disadvantage with China worsened in 2022, the letter said, when China’s airlines
continued to access Russian airspace while U.S.-based carriers stopped using it
as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday
that increasing direct flights was the “consensus reached” when Chinese leader
Xi Jinping and President Biden met in November.
“It (increasing flights) will help the
two peoples strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual understanding,” the
ministry said.
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