The US suspended more than 40 flights from Chinese aviation companies over the next few months, which is directly in line with COVID related ravel rules.

One of the rules that China just recently enforced that a flight be suspended for 2 weeks if 5 or more passengers test positive. If 10 passengers test positive, then the suspension period increases.

Representatives from China believe that this new regulation is “an important step to reduce the risk of cross-border spread of the epidemic.”

With the 2022 Winter Olympics near, those rules could restrict flights to and from Beijing should 5 or more people test positive, esepcially with China’s zero tolerance policy for breaking any COVID rules, laws, or regulations. This rule has made flying to China significantly more difficult, and specifically affects airlines such as American Airlines (AAL), Delta AirLines (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL).