In a directive, the US Department of Transportation announced the suspension of 26 passenger flights by Chinese airlines.
This follows similar steps taken by Beijing’s aviation agency to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“We, therefore, conclude that the public interest now requires a further modification, effective immediately, of Order 2020-6-1, to limit Chinese carriers’ scheduled services accordingly,” the order said on Thursday . “In the circumstances presented, we have decided to suspend twenty-six (26) US to China passenger flight segments.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of China reportedly grounded 26 US airlines flights after an increasing number of travellers travelling from the US tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Transportation Department.
The decision cancels a total of 26 flights that Air China Limited, Chinese Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines had booked to fly out of Los Angeles International Airport in September.
The directive, according to the Transportation Department, is in effect right away.
