U.S. airlines meet China’s Taiwan demand

U.S. airlines are altering their website displays for Taiwan, meeting a deadline set by the Chinese government for such references to reflect China’s claim on the island territory.

The U.S. carriers affected by the mandate — American Airlines Group Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., United Continental Holdings Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. — now refer to Taiwan destinations only by the city names of Taipei and Kaohsiung, or by airport codes. Route maps may no longer display a country label for Taiwan.

“U.S. carriers, including Delta, are in the process of implementing website changes in response to the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s request,” the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement Wednesday. “We will remain in close consultation with the U.S. government throughout this process.”

The four airlines had hoped for a negotiated resolution between the U.S. and Chinese governments ahead of Beijing’s deadline, which was Wednesday. Other airlines, including Qantas Airways Ltd., Air France-KLM and Deutsche Lufthansa AG, have already cooperated with China’s wishes.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China in April sent a letter to more than 40 foreign airlines telling them that they shouldn’t place China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on an equal footing, and must refer to “China Taiwan” or the “China Taiwan region.” Maps must display the territories in the same color as mainland China, the order said.

“We’re a business with significant international activities and we need to deal with regulations in all of those jurisdictions,” Peter Ingram, Hawaiian’s chief executive officer, said Tuesday. “And obviously, sometimes that can put us in challenging positions in one jurisdiction versus another.”