On April 9, 2021, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced it has suspended all China Eastern Airlines (CIAH) (CEA) flights from New York to Shanghai for four weeks. The decision came as several COVID-19 cases were found on the Shanghai-bound flight. 

“Starting from April 19, 2021, the flight [MU588 - ed.note] will be suspended for 4 weeks. Flights on this route entering before April 19 can continue to be executed,” the Civil Aviation Administration of China wrote in a statement. 

The report by Chinese regulator showed that there were ten individuals carrying the COVID-19 infection on flight MU588 from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) on March 30, 2021. 

In a statement, the Chinese regulator also noted that China Eastern Airlines (CIAH) (CEA) would be required to guide passengers through the process of refunding and changing tickets for subsequent flights from New York to Shanghai that would be re-commenced on May 10, 2021.

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