Delta Boeing 777 Final Flight
Delta Boeing 777 Final Flight

US, China to Each Allow 4 Weekly Flights for Airlines

The US Department of Transportation announced on Monday 15th June, that US airlines have been approved to fly four weekly flights to China; easing a standoff on travel restrictions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

We welcome this action by the Chinese government, as an important first step to fully restore air travel. Consequently, the Department is amending its order to allow the Chinese air carriers to continue to fly 4 weekly flights between China and the United States.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Press Release

"The department will continue to press for the full restoration of passenger air travel between the United States and China, in part to allow for the repatriation of Chinese students who have been unable to fly home due to the shortage of flights."

Two weeks prior, the Trump administration planned to ban Chinese airlines operate flights to the U.S.

Delta Resuming Flight to China Next Week

Delta Air Lines has received approval from the Shanghai government to resume flights from June 18th, a company spokeswoman said on Monday.

Delta plans to operate service to Shanghai (via Incheon) from both Detroit and Seattle. Service from each city will operate once a week, according to the Delta News Hub.

a map of the world with red lines
Delta Air Lines Planned China Routes via Seoul Incheon

United said they were reviewing the matter and aiming to re-launch service to China in the weeks ahead.

In early January, there were more than 300 flights per week between the two countries; but international carriers reduced, and then stopped, flying to China as the coronavirus pandemic devastated demand for air travel. United, Delta and American Airlines suspended flights to China before mid-March.

Chinese airlines reduced but didn't eliminate their flights to the US. They ran about 20 flights per week in February and 34 by mid-March. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines continue flying those routes.

On June 4th the Civil Aviation Administration of China said it would let more foreign airlines fly to China starting next week, as anti-coronavirus controls are eased.

Article Source: Reuters, US DOT, Delta Air Lines