China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned a decision made by the United States to suspend 44 China-bound flights from the US by four Chinese carriers.
The suspension will take effect in late January and run until the end of March 2022.
According to media reports, Chinese officials denounced the decision on January 24, 2022, arguing that it was irresponsible and overbearing.
However, the latest US decision follows a similar move made by the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority who canceled dozens of passenger flights arriving from the US.
Since the beginning of January 2022, China has suspended a total of 44 inbound flights operated by three American carriers: American Airlines (A1G) (AAL), Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. The cancellations were part of safety measures following concerns that passengers were testing positive for COVID-19 on arrival in China.
On January 21, 2022, the US Transportation Department said it would suspend 44 flights from China, affecting operations for China Eastern Airlines (CIAH) (CEA), China Southern Airlines (ZNH), Air China, and Xiamen Airlines.