A coalition of large U.S. airlines and several unions representing aviation workers have called on the Biden administration to halt the approval of any further flights between the United States and China due to what they perceive as unfair and anti-competitive practices imposed by China. They argue that China closed its market to U.S. carriers at the start of the pandemic and continues to place restrictions on American operations and airline crews. The signatories of the letter, which include the CEO of Airlines for America and the presidents of several pilot and flight attendant unions, emphasized the need for the U.S. government to protect American aviation workers, industry, and travelers from these discriminatory policies.
Despite the ongoing effects of the pandemic on global air travel, the number of flights between China and the U.S. has been gradually increasing, albeit still below pre-pandemic levels. The Biden administration recently raised the number of round trips that Chinese airlines can make from 35 to 50 per week as part of a reciprocal agreement with China’s aviation authority, which promised to advocate for an increase in flights by U.S. carriers as well. However, the U.S. airlines argue that Chinese carriers enjoy an advantage by flying shorter routes through Russian airspace, which has been inaccessible to U.S. airlines since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over two years ago. Furthermore, Chinese airlines allegedly receive preferential treatment from their government as they are state-owned entities.
In their letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. industry groups warned that without equal access to China’s aviation market, American carriers risk losing flights to Chinese airlines. They claimed that the uneven playing field created by China’s policies puts U.S. carriers at a significant disadvantage in competing for routes and passengers. The coalition’s call for the Biden administration to intervene in protecting American interests in the aviation sector reflects the growing concerns within the industry about the impact of foreign government policies on domestic carriers and workers.
The plea to halt further approvals of flights between the U.S. and China comes amidst broader debates about fair competition in the global aviation industry, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As countries around the world seek to revive their economies and restore international travel, ensuring a level playing field for airlines from different nations has become a crucial issue. The U.S. airlines and unions’ efforts to draw attention to China’s alleged anti-competitive practices align with the broader push for fair and equitable treatment of carriers and workers in the post-pandemic recovery phase.
The growing tensions between U.S. airlines and their Chinese counterparts highlight the complexities of international aviation relations, where political, economic, and regulatory factors intersect. The ongoing dispute over access to China’s aviation market underscores the broader geopolitical and economic competition between the two countries, as well as the challenges faced by American carriers in navigating foreign regulatory environments. The Biden administration’s response to the industry’s concerns will likely shape the future of U.S.-China aviation relations and impact the competitiveness of American airlines in the global market.
In conclusion, the coalition of U.S. airlines and unions’ call for the Biden administration to stop approving additional flights between the U.S. and China reflects the industry’s concerns about unfair competition and discriminatory practices in the aviation sector. By highlighting China’s restrictions on American carriers and advocating for equal access to China’s aviation market, the industry groups seek to protect U.S. aviation workers, industry, and air travelers from the negative impact of these policies. The outcome of this dispute will not only affect the competitive landscape of the global aviation industry but also have broader implications for U.S.-China relations and the future of international air travel.
