Summary
- USDOT allows Chinese airlines to spice up weekly flights to US from 35 to 50 starting March 31, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
- Airlines for America supports gradual reopening of US-China market, with American, Delta, and United flying 31 weekly flights.
- Each Chinese embassy and US carriers welcome the increased flights, marking positive progress in restoring travel between the 2 countries.
On Monday, February 26, the USA Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that passenger airlines based in China will probably be allowed to spice up their weekly flights to the USA. Currently, Chinese passenger airlines can operate as much as 35 weekly round-trip flights to the US. Nevertheless, starting on March 31, the USDOT will boost the weekly flights to 50 total flights.
Increasing flights
Per Reuters, the USDOT has revealed that this increase will help return weekly flights to just about one-third of the weekly flights that were available prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDOT also stated that the approval “.”
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China-based and United States-based carriers were each allowed greater than 150 weekly round-trip flights. Nevertheless, after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many restrictions were imposed on those flight routes. These routes have slowly been returning over time because the restrictions were imposed.
The group that represents American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, Airlines for America, released a press release that it “supports the US government’s approach to slowly, progressively and reciprocally reopen the market with China. It’s imperative the US government maintains this approach.” American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines fly a combined 31 weekly flights to China.
The Chinese embassy, which is situated in Washington DC, was also reportedly comfortable to see the flights returning. The embassy stated,
“We’re glad to see the positive progress made on increasing direct passenger flights between China and the US.”
The embassy also stated that it might proceed to work towards increased travel between the 2 countries.
Slowly increasing flights
The initial flight restrictions reduced the variety of weekly round-trip flights between the 2 countries from 150 flights to simply eight weekly flights. US-based carriers were in a position to operate 12 round-trip flights per week. This significant decrease began in early 2020, with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions affecting travel between the 2 countries.
Nevertheless, in August 2023, Chinese and US carriers were approved to extend their variety of weekly flights. Starting on September 1, 2023, the USDOT approved for these carriers to supply as much as 18 weekly round-trip flights. During this time, US carriers weren’t in a position to fly over Russian airspace, meaning that the carriers were forced to utilize ultra-long-range aircraft on these routes or require a fuel stop for smaller aircraft.
Photo: Saichon Thuenwat | Shutterstock
United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines were the one affected US-based carriers. Many Chinese airlines used this chance to extend their flight offerings. These airlines include Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Xiamen Airlines.
Shortly after the primary increase of flights to 18 weekly flights, the USDOT approved a second increase in weekly flights. From October 29, 2023, Chinese carriers were in a position to operate 24 weekly round-trip flights to the US, while the Chinese government increased flights for American carriers shortly after.