Input for EU Transport Counsellors on planned resumption of international flights between China and Europe

2020-06-12 | Beijing

1.         Reciprocity – Unilateral approach

 The measures proposed by CAAC are unilateral in nature, taken without consultation with EU Member States. This amounts to unilateral suspension of the Air Services Agreements concluded by China with EU Member States, and severely hinders the resumption of normal scheduled operations by EU airlines on routes between the EU and China. 

2.         Reciprocity – imbalance in number of scheduled passenger flights between Chinese and EU carriers

 If the CAAC Rule of Five/One for international passenger flights listed in the notice is applied as indicated, only one weekly passenger flight operated by a foreign airline to China from an EU Member State is permitted. Nevertheless, more than one Chinese carrier might serve the same destination. This produces a natural, and unfair imbalance.

3.         Requirement for flight approval not only by CAAC, but also by the local authorities of a destination city/province - difficulties in obtaining a Confirmation Letter on the Capacity to Provide Support during the Epidemic Prevention and Control Period from provincial Joint Prevention and Control Mechanisms or provincial leading groups on epidemic response

Although the contacts at provincial points of entry for handling the application of Confirmation Letter were given on 10^th June to the airline companies, the timeline and procedure remain unpredictable due to lack of coordination among the different administrations at the central and provincial levels.  Some progress was made during the week, but the basic requirement to seek approval twice is excessive.

4.          ‘Circuit-breaker’ measures (effectively punishments) will cause uncertainty and mean barriers for flight planning and ticket booking

The measures propose that a carrier which unknowingly carries passengers who test positive for the virus on arrival in China, should have traffic rights withdrawn for a defined period. Lack of clarity for implementing the measure on the suspension of a route due to positive nucleic acid tests among arriving passengers numbering above certain thresholds increase pressure and potential losses for airlines when dealing with subsequent flight planning and readjusting flights for affected passengers. The fact is that available tests are imperfect. Carriers may reasonably be asked to ensure that passengers are tested before departure; but cannot be expected to bear the effect of imperfect testing methods. This proposal is neither fair nor reasonable.

This “Circuit Breaker” provision contradicts CAAC’s policy on ticket sales (no CAAC’s confirmation, no sale of ticket) if the flight is cancelled at short notice. This measure damages passenger interests because of very limited substitute replaceable flights under the rule of FIVE/ ONE.

5.         Visa issues - Temporary Suspension of the Entry of Foreigners with Valid Chinese Visas and Residence Permits impedes the resumption of flights and recovery of work 

The inability to obtain entry permits is preventing a large number of foreign managers, technicians, visitors and their family members, and related personnel (e.g. teachers in international schools) from returning to China. This seriously hampers the resumption of international exchanges, business and investment, and directly affects the recovery of work and resumption of flights.

In considering the above-mentioned issues, the European Chamber asks EU Member States to consider how best to encourage the Chinese authorities to:

on the meeting, representatives of A & A WG addressed  the following concerns and requests to EU counsellors for the resumptions of flights and circulated the advocacy letter to the counsellors for pushing the high level negation at the EU - China Summit. 

1.       Restore normal scheduled air services between the EU and China, as soon and as efficiently as possible, on the basis of Air Services Agreements between China and EU Member States.

2.       Ensure reciprocity and level playing field by increasing the number of flights by EU airlines to match the number of flights by Chinese airlines to a specific EU Member State.

3.       Align all measures and decisions implemented at central and provincial administrative levels, as duplication of authorization methods brings unnecessary complication.

4.       Specify the application procedures and timeline for obtaining a confirmation letter from provincial entry points (destinations).

5.       Relax the current “circuit breaker “measures and remove the most stringent restrictions.

6.       Return to normal practice by permitting the entry of EU citizens who need to travel to China for work and family reunion purposes.