CHINESE AIRLINES SUSPENDS CARGO FLIGHTS TO INDIA

The largest cargo flight operator from China to India, the Chinese state-owned Sichuan Airlines, has suspended all cargo flights to India for 15 days because of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The suspension, which is likely to disrupt frantic efforts by Indian private firms to import medical supplies including oxygen concentrators to fight the pandemic from China, comes despite Beijing’s repeated offers of “support and assistance” to India to fight the pandemic.

The airlines operated 10 flights on six routes to four Indian cities - New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore.

In a late night development, the airlines told the state-run tabloid Global Times that it was “discussing a new plan” “We are re-evaluating the original plan of suspending cargo services to India, and actively discussing a new plan to guarantee cargo services to the region,” the company told Global Times.