China shortens suspensions for international flights linked to Covid-19 cases

By Reuters August 6, 2022 | 07:03 pm PT

A China Eastern Airlines aircraft and Shanghai Airlines aircraft are seen in Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, China, June 4, 2020. Photo by Reuters/Aly Song

China has shortened the suspension time for inbound international flights on routes found to have Covid-19 cases starting from Sunday (Aug 7).

The country's aviation regulator said in a statement on Sunday that flights on a route with an identified coronavirus case will be suspended for one week if 4 per cent of passengers test positive, and two weeks if 8 per cent of passengers test positive.

Previously, the aviation regulator's policy was that if five passengers tested positive, the airline's flights for that route would be suspended for two weeks. The suspension will last for four weeks if 10 or more passengers test positive.