More than 100 Chinese passengers stranded in the U.S. due to delays in U.S. flights
Xinhua News Agency, New York, August 17 (Reporter Liu Yanan) According to a news released by the Chinese Consulate General in New York on the 17th, due to the delay of the United Airlines flight that was originally scheduled to depart at noon on the 16th local time, more than 100 people planned to take the flight. Chinese passengers returning home via Tokyo, Japan, failed to board the plane. Currently, these passengers are stranded in hotels near Newark International Airport in New Jersey, USA.
United Airlines spokesperson Annabelle Coty said in an email interview with Xinhua News Agency on the 17th that the flight UA79 from Newark International Airport to Tokyo was delayed due to the temporary change of crew members’ schedule. Due to Japan’s current epidemic prevention restrictions, airlines have not been able to board passengers who will miss the transfer due to the flight delay.
Coty said that United Airlines is sorry for the inconvenience and is working hard to get these passengers to their final destination as soon as possible.
The Chinese Consulate General in New York stated in a statement that after learning of this situation, the Consulate General immediately coordinated the relevant airlines to properly arrange the on-site placement of stranded Chinese passengers, and assisted the airlines in contacting relevant parties to cooperate with them. While meeting the various epidemic prevention and control requirements, work together to advance follow-up arrangements. "The Consulate General in New York will continue to monitor the follow-up progress of the incident and maintain close communication with relevant airlines to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese passengers. At the same time, it reminds relevant Chinese passengers to pay close attention to the progress of follow-up arrangements and protect their rights rationally and legally."
It is understood that many of the Chinese passengers who failed to board the plane came from other cities in the United States. They were originally scheduled to transit back to China via Tokyo, Japan, and are currently facing practical difficulties in accommodation and epidemic prevention.