US Airlines Request Ban on Additional Flights to China, Highlighting America’s Competitive Disadvantage
In a recent letter addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, major US airlines and aviation unions have urged the Biden administration to halt the approval of additional flights between China and the United States. The letter, signed by lobbying group Airlines for America, which includes American Airlines, Delta, and United, as well as the Air Line Pilots Association, highlights the ongoing “anti-competitive policies of the Chinese government” that have placed American airlines at a significant disadvantage.
The lobbying group argues that this competitive disadvantage is not only harmful to the approximately 315,000 workers employed by US passenger airlines that serve China but also detrimental to US businesses. If the growth of the Chinese aviation market continues unchecked, flights will be relinquished to Chinese carriers at the expense of US workers and businesses.
One of the main concerns raised by American carriers is the lower pricing offered by Chinese carriers for certain flights. This pricing advantage is attributed to China’s “harmful anti-competitive policies” that allow Chinese carriers to charge less. These policies have been further exacerbated by China’s strict limits on market access and operational rules imposed during the pandemic.
The lobbying group also points out an additional disadvantage faced by American carriers due to their decision to stop flying through Russian airspace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. Chinese carriers, on the other hand, have continued to use Russian airspace, giving them a competitive advantage in terms of cost and operational efficiency. This practice puts US citizens traveling between America and China at unnecessary risk, and Airlines for America calls for an end to this practice.
The Transportation Department had previously allowed Chinese passenger airlines to increase their weekly round-trip flights to the US to 50 starting from March 31, up from the current 35. However, US carriers have not been utilizing all their authorized flights. In 2019, both China and the US had approximately 150 weekly round-trip flights between the two countries, indicating a significant decrease in air travel due to the pandemic.
In response to the lobbying group’s concerns, China’s Foreign Ministry stated that increasing direct flights was a consensus reached during a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in November. According to the ministry, boosting flights will strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between the two nations.
In a separate letter, Rep. Mike Gallagher, the chair of the House select committee on China, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the panel’s top Democrat, have also urged the Biden administration not to approve more flights until China abides by its existing bilateral agreement and passenger demand begins to recover.
The lobbying group Airlines for America concludes their note by emphasizing the need for the US government to establish policies that protect US aviation workers, the industry, and air travelers. They argue that it is crucial to address the unfair practices that put American carriers at a significant disadvantage in the competitive market.
Overall, the request for a ban on additional flights to China highlights the competitive disadvantage faced by US airlines due to China’s anti-competitive policies and the use of Russian airspace by Chinese carriers. The concerns raised by American carriers and aviation unions reflect the need for fair market access and protection of US interests in the aviation industry. The response from the Biden administration and future bilateral negotiations will play a crucial role in addressing these concerns and ensuring a level playing field for all airlines involved.
