US criticizes China over canceled flights

The Biden administration on Wednesday criticized China's decision to cancel a growing number of flights from the United States to China because of passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19 and warned it could take action in response. "China’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under the U.S.-China Air Transport Agreement. We are engaging with the (Chinese government) on this and we retain the right to take regulatory measures as appropriate," a US Transportation Department (USDOT) spokesperson said. China on Wednesday ordered the suspension of six more US-to-China flights in coming weeks after a surge in passengers testing positive for COVID-19, rising to 70 cancellations mandated this year in a schedule that had already been drastically cut back. The latest suspension affected two United flights from San Francisco to Shanghai and four China Southern Airlines flights from Los Angeles to Guangzhou. Airlines for America said US carriers are in "communication with the US and Chinese governments to identify a path forward that minimizes impact to travelers." Beijing and Washington have sparred over air services since the start of the pandemic. Before the latest cancellations, three US airlines and four Chinese carriers were operating about 20 flights a week between the countries, well below the figure of more than 100 per week before the pandemic.<br/>