US pilots sue American Airlines to halt flights to China amid Coronavirus outbreak

US Pilots sued American Airlines in Dallas County seeking a temporary restraining order to immediately halt flights to China amidst vel Coronavirus outbreak. Allied Pilots Association (APA), in its lawsuit, ted that American Airlines currently operates approximately 56 monthly flights between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and airports in China. 

Though airline h anunced suspension of flights between Los Angeles International Airport and China, it will keep ferrying until February 9. APA President Eric Ferguson, in a statement, said that safety and well-being of ir crews and passengers must always be highest priority. 

“Due to kwn and unkwn risks associated with travelling to China right w, concurrent with filing of our lawsuit, we are directing all American Airlines pilots assigned to flights between United States and China, or than those on return trips to United States, to decline assignment,” said Ferguson.

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Global public health emergency

According to media reports, at least 213 people have died due to mysterious coronavirus with more than 9,600 confirmed cases of dely disease. World Health Organisation (WHO) has w declared new coronavirus outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). 

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Human-to-human transmission occurred outside China

After second meeting of International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding outbreak of vel coronavirus, committee ackwledged that human-to-human transmission has occurred outside Wuhan and outside China. WHO Director-General Tedros ham Ghebreyesus congratulated Chinese government for ‘extraordinary measures’ it took to contain virus, despite severe social and ecomic impact those measures are having on Chinese people.

“We don’t kw what sort of dam this coronavirus could do if it were to spre in a country with a weaker health system. We must act w to help countries prepare for that possibility," said Ghebreyesus during press conference after meeting.

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(With ncy inputs)