The French government announced on the 13th that the number of flights allowed from Chinese airlines to Paris had been reduced to only one flight per week, in response to Beijing authorities’ restrictions on flights to China.
The French Embassy in Beijing made a statement through its official website that “From July 13, only one flight per week will be allowed from Chinese airlines to fly to France. The two governments are still in discussion about reaching a satisfactory solution,” the embassy said.
Reuters had asked the CAAC regarding the statement from the Franch embassy, but the former didn’t respond in time.
According to the French Embassy, three airlines, namely Chinese airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines (CIAH) (CEA) and China Southern Airlines, (ZNH) can each operate one flight per week to Paris. And according to a reciprocal agreement signed on June 12, Air France can operate three flights per week to China. But the embassy indicated the Chinese authorities actually only allowed Air France to fly to China only once a week.
The French Embassy said that the Paris authorities continued to exert diplomatic talks with Beijing, prompting Beijing to allow Air France to fly more flights to China. However, the French embassy also reminded passengers to be prepared, as there may be a disruption of flights between France and China.
Earlier last month, similar tension on the air traffic rights was between the US and China, till the counterparties agreed to ease the restriction on each other.