Chinese airlines battered by Beijing's zero-virus crackdown

Groundings of international flights escalate as omicron rages

20220126N China Southern

China Southern Airlines reported a nine-month loss approaching $1 billion. (Photo by Melvin Loi)

YUSUKE HINATA, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- China has ramped up flight cancellations under its zero-COVID strategy, wreaking further havoc on an airline industry already smarting from the pandemic.

Circuit breakers that suspend international routes for up to eight weeks are triggered if five or more COVID-19 cases are found among passengers after arrival. Maintenance, disinfection and staff supervision have also been upgraded.

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