U.S. Blocks Chinese Flights in Geopolitical Tensions: What Does It Mean?

The U.S. government moved Wednesday to bar mainland Chinese airlines from serving the United States, requiring them to stop service no later than June 16, the latest in a series of back-and-forth regulatory actions between the countries. It is a highly unusual move for the 21st century, when many countries have liberalized aviation treaties, allowing airlines to serve almost any long-haul routes they want, with limited interference. But the U.S. and China haven't materially updated their aviation agreement for the new era, so the market remains more tightly controlled than others. In this case, it is easy for both government to place restrictions on airlines, and that's what happening here. Here is some context. Why is the U.S. Government Doing This? The U.S. government says American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines effectively have been banned from serving China, while Chinese carriers can continue offering token service to the United States. It says this is unfa