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Legacy Carriers Could Be Grounded in Taiwan

America’s three major international airlines could face trouble getting flyers in and out of Taiwan. With China’s deadline to recognize the island as part of their nation looming, both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are not buckling to pressure. Without the change, the carriers could have trouble during landing and departure.

Another political showdown involving open skies treaties could be coming – but it will have nothing to do with three Middle East carriers. Bloomberg reports America’s legacy carriers could face trouble operating flights in and out of the island of Taiwan.

The People’s Republic of China – commonly known as “China” – is giving air carriers a deadline of July 25 to recognize Taiwan as either “China Taiwan” or the “China Taiwan Region,” similar to how it is addressed in Chinese state-owned media. Other international carriers in the Asia-Pacific region, including ANA, Japan Airlines and Qantas are all taking steps to change how they address the contested nation.

However, both American Airlines and Delta Airlines continue to refer to the Republic of China – commonly known as “Taiwan” – as a separate region. United Airlines has not taken a definitive stance on the situation but continue to refer to the island as Taiwan.

If the American legacy carriers do not give in to China’s demands, it could create major problems for their operations in Chinese airspace and airports. Despite the expansive growth of China’s aviation industry, non-complying carriers could face more inspections, deliberate air traffic control holds or increased scrutiny over immigration and security checks.

More importantly, the political stunt – part of a growing conflict between China and the United States – could threaten any hope of establishing an open skies treaty. Between trade wars and Chinese president Xi Jinping’s push for “One China,” signing an international agreement may become next to impossible.

“The present trade regime and rhetoric is getting ugly, and it may get far uglier,” Robert Mann of aviation consulting firm R.W. Mann & Co. told Bloomberg. “Short of an outright ban, the Chinese could make it commercially, operationally difficult for U.S. carriers arriving and departing Chinese airports.”

In previous statements, both American and Delta said they are working with Washington to determine forward direction. Air India, which operates code-share flights with Taiwan’s EVA Air, is also deferring to their government to determine how to handle the situation.

[Photo: Shutterstock]

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9 Comments
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Ted_Li June 30, 2018

For guys who cleverly came out those counter-China strategies, US government does not stand in a good position here, specifically, not before you make a decision to deny an important piece of historical document (check out 'Shanghai Communiqué'). Fortunately, Trump is a President who loves to change his mind. You still get some chances.

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acvitale June 28, 2018

If China were to engage in such behaviour the answer is simple. Basically treat them the EXACT same way. FYI far more flights from China to the US on Chinese carriers then US carriers. It wont take long for the situation to sort itself out when China is subject to the same games that the US is subjected to in China.

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kvom June 28, 2018

Blocking Chinese airlines from routes to the US is one answer.

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jamar June 28, 2018

Well, if the Chinese government makes it tough for them to operate directly to China, why not take some inspiration from the past- take China-bound passengers as far as a Tokyo-area airport (UA/AA) or ICN (DL) and have a partner take it from there. Sure, some customers might switch to a Chinese carrier for a non-stop, but that option becomes less palatable if the US chooses to respond in kind.

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flyerCO June 28, 2018

@makrom did you read the article? They care because they operate in China and there's no open skies treaty to protect them.