US to prevent Chinese airlines from flying into the country, citing travel agreement violations

The US government has said it will block Chinese airlines from flying into the US in response to what it says is a policy that has prevented US carriers from service between the two countries.

The Transportation Department restrictions will take effect June 16 but could be enacted earlier if President Donald Trump decides to do so.

It says the Chinese government is violating an agreement between the two countries for international travel by preventing United Airlines and Delta Air Lines from resuming the trans-oceanic flights. Those airlines had asked to resume service on June 1.

United, Delta, and American suspended service to China due to the coronavirus pandemic. The US government also instituted travel restrictions to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The Transportation Department order said “Chinese aviation authorities have failed to permit US air carriers to” operate the routes they previously flew.

“The Department will continue to engage our Chinese counterparts so both US and Chinese carriers can fully exercise their bilateral rights,” the department said in a statement.

“In the meantime, we will allow Chinese carriers to operate the same number of scheduled passenger flights as the Chinese government allows ours.”