On June 17, 2020, over 1,200 flights from and to Beijing airports were canceled as concerns of a possible second wave of coronavirus COVID-19 in China rose.
The country’s authorities are trying to contain a new coronavirus outbreak linked to a wholesale food market. In recent days, over 130 new patients were detected. International flights were already barred from entry into Beijing, as the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced the decision on June 11, 2020, citing “epidemic development.” International flights were diverted to 16 other Chinese “entry-point” cities.
China has also closed schools and urged residents not to leave the capital city.
The news comes after China’s domestic market showcased signs of recovery, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The association highlighted that flight levels in the country have bounced back to about 22-28% lower by late-May compared to the same period a year before. In February 2020, the domestic market was down as much as 85%, showcased IATA’s data.