American Airlines pilots file suit against firm to halt China flights

American Airlines pilots file suit against the firm to halt all flights to China. CNBC's Phil LeBeau reports.

The union that represents American Airlines pilots said Thursday that it’s suing the carrier to halt service to China amid the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 170 people in China and infected more than 8,000 around the world.

The Allied Pilots Association, which represents about 15,000 pilots for the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier said its suit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt all American Airlines service between the U.S. and China.

American on Wednesday announced it would suspend its Beijing and Shanghai flights from Los Angeles between Feb. 9 and March 27, citing reduced demand because of the coronavirus outbreak, following similar moves by dozens of airlines around the world.

APA’s lawsuit says American still operates approximately 56 monthly flights between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and destinations in China. APA President Capt. Eric Ferguson is calling for American Airlines pilots to refuse to fly to and from China.

“The safety and well-being of our crews and passengers must always be our highest priority — first, last, and always,” Ferguson said. “Due to the known and unknown risks associated with traveling to China right now, concurrent with the filing of our lawsuit, we are directing all American Airlines pilots assigned to flights between the United States and China, other than those on return trips to the United States, to decline the assignment.”

In a statement, American said the airline was aware of the filing and referred to the flight suspensions announced Wednesday. “We are in close contact with the CDC and global public health officials to make sure we are taking all necessary precautions for our customers and team members,” the statement said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and make any updates as needed.”

Federal regulations require crew members flying to China to remain on the ground for approximately 32 hours to rest between flights, the APA said.

American and the pilots union are in the middle of contentious contract negotiations, but the union said the suit was a separate safety matter and neither a part of the talks nor would it affect them.

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