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WASHINGTON – The United States and China have agreed to double the number of air flights the two airlines can operate between countries from four to eight per week.
The deal marks a further easing of the stalemate between the world’s two largest economies over travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
The US Department of Transportation announced the increase on Tuesday, saying China’s aviation authority decided this week to allow expanded flights by United and Delta.
Shortly after the announcement, Chicago-based United Airlines UAL,
said it would increase from two to four flights per week between San Francisco and Shanghai via Seoul, starting September 4.
The Department of Transportation said that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines DAL,
is also eligible to increase its two weekly flights to four. Delta did not immediately comment.
Chinese airlines that already serve the United States – Air China 753,
, China Eastern Airlines CEA,
, China Southern Airlines ZNH,
and Xiamen Airlines – will be allowed to make eight weekly round trips instead of four, the department said.
The transportation department reiterated its hope that China would agree to fully restore the treaty rights of US airlines to serve China, but called the most recent increase in flights “a step in the right direction.”
At the start of January, there were more than 300 flights a week between the two countries, but that number fell after the pandemic reduced demand for international air travel. United, Delta and American Airlines AAL,
suspended flights to China in mid-March.
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