American Airlines and United Airlines have halted plans for nonstop flights to Shanghai over holdups and restrictions placed on crew movements, CNBC reports.
They will instead reinstate a stop in Seoul, South Korea.
According to people familiar with the matter, crews are subject to long waits on arrival, limited stopover accommodations and their movements are being restricted in the country.
It is impacted crew rest periods, which are mandated by federal law.
"Due to changes in operating conditions, we adjusted service between San Francisco and Shanghai to now include a stop in Seoul for a crew change as we did earlier this year," United said.
Delta Air Lines plans to operate nonstop flights from Seattle and Detroit to Shanghai starting this week.
"Delta has shared with us their plan and the logistics surrounding the initiation of nonstop service to Shanghai. Right now, we are studying it to make sure that it is airtight," said Delta’s pilots’ union, the Air Line Pilots Association.
According to the report, crew had reported restrictions leaving hotel rooms during stopovers.
It comes as news out of China said arriving Chinese ship crews and some airline cabin crew have been harassed by US officials.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said US officials grilled crew members, sometimes for hours, asking questions related to membership of the Chinese Communist Party.
It said ‘countermeasures’ would be used if it doesn’t stop.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
