US airlines, unions ask officials to pause China flight increases

The United States' largest airlines and several aviation industry unions have asked the Biden administration to pause additional flight increases between the U.S. and China, citing concerns over "existing harmful anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government," according to a joint letter published on Thursday. Chinese carriers were permitted to increase the weekly number of roundtrip flights to the U.S. from 35 to 50 -- the same number granted to U.S. carriers -- starting on March 31, following a U.S. Department of Transportation approval in February. "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 U.S. workers and businesses," said the letter, which was addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The letter was signed by industry trade group Airlines for America, the Air Line Pilots Association, Allied Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants. Airlines for America represents major carriers including American Airlines, United and Delta. The letter highlighted what it described as China's anti-competitive actions, including burdensome rules imposed on U.S. carriers following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and protections extended to Chinese airlines due to their relationship with Beijing. The letter also pointed to the ongoing operational advantage Chinese flights have from being able to pass through Russian airspace, which has been closed to U.S. airlines since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. All of this "allows Chinese airlines to operate irrespective of standard market conditions," the letter said.<br/>