NEW US SANCTION BILL

[Curry Lamb]

"Pompeo’s announcement comes on the heels of the US Senate’s unanimous passage of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which calls for mandatory sanctions against any businesses or individuals identified as being responsible for undermining the city’s autonomy from China"

The clowns running CX must be getting a bit nervous. It wasn't that long ago that they were too happy sacking employees, for standing up against the commie regime.

Won't be surprised if CX finds its slots and overflight clearences cancelled by the US. This dog and pony show is about to get real.

[LongTimeInCX]

It's just part of the ongoing sabre rattling.
I doubt there is any significant concern at the moment.

[Obama57]

Seems to be getting real...

American, United stop flying to Hong Kong amid crew testing requirements

Hong Kong health officials said incoming crews will be subject to the collection of “deep throat saliva specimens.”

United Airlines and American Airlines have temporarily halted flights to Hong Kong after its government imposed coronavirus testing requirements for airline crews, the latest twist in a simmering scuffle between the U.S. and China over access to aviation markets.

The details: Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection has said that as of Wednesday, incoming crews will be subject to (https://www.alliedpilots.org/Portals/0/Member/DOMICILE/LAX/Blast%20-%20Public/Documents/Letter%20dd%207.7.2020%20to%20AOC%20-%20Mandatory%20COVID-19%20testing%20for%20crew%20members.pdf?source=email) the collection of “deep throat saliva specimens,” and any person refusing to be tested will be subject to a fine and imprisonment. If a crew member tests positive, “hospital admission will be arranged as soon as possible.”

American is halting flights to Hong Kong until Aug. 5 because of the requirements, according to an email the leadership of the Allied Pilots Association union sent to its membership.

In a statement, United said a flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong that had been scheduled for Wednesday was canceled because of “recent changes in testing protocol” at Hong Kong International Airport. It added that “United flights to and from HKG are suspended through July 10 westbound and their corresponding returns. We are currently assessing how this impacts our future operations.”

Earlier this week, United said it planned to resume service between Chicago and Hong Kong starting in September.

The context: The latest issue comes as tensions between the U.S. Department of Transportation and China were beginning to thaw. The two governments had been fighting over airlines’ access to each other’s commercial markets.

[ACMS]

Excellent, more pax and cargo for Cx

[Flying Clog]

There seems to be quite some confusion about what a 'deep throat' saliva sample is. Lots have assumed it's the horrendous stick up the nose and rummage around in there procedure. In fact it's just a spit into a cup. But the yanks have run with the worst case scenario, and if they stop flying to HKG, that's great! More pax and cargo for CX! Win!

[Curry Lamb]

But the yanks have run with the worst case scenario, and if they stop flying to HKG, that's great! More pax and cargo for CX! Win!

The Yanks may also impose the same restrictions and prevent mainland carriers (which now includes CX!), from flying to the US, in order to prevent further imported infections.

[nike]

Reads more like:

US Pilot arrives in HK, somehow test positive, then has to go into HK government quarantine for 14 days.

So the company loses a pilot for return sector after the rest period.

The pilot gets stuck in a foreign country crappy quarantine facility for 14 days.

As an added extra they could now find themselves whisked north of the border to god knows where.

Good to see their unions asking questions and trying to protect their members.

[AtoBsafely]

Anyone who tests positive will be sent to a hospital.

[JMock]

Anyone who tests positive will be sent to a hospital.

yep

and it’s an indeterminate length of stay.

[MENELAUS]

And anyone considered a close contact are the ones that get banged up for the 14 day quarantine. That’s assuming they can get hold of you before you’ve legged it out of HK.

[MENELAUS]

yep

and it’s an indeterminate length of stay.

Could even be the ultimate stay.

[cxorcist]

Months ago, a FedEx crew entering PVG all tested positive. Sensing BS, the company managed to get them clearance to fly to Osaka where, shocker, they all tested negative.

I wouldn’t want to be a pawn in this game of political football between the US and China. Sadly, I think HK is part of the playing field now.

[lucille]

Separately and I suspect connected, the Australian government has issued a travel warning to China https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-07/dfat-changes-travel-advice-for-australians-in-china/12431134

This highlights the risk to Aussie crews of being taken “hostage” under some pretext or other.