US, China to each allow four weekly flights amid coronavirus pandemic

After a row over ban on passenger flights amid pandemic, United States and China have each agreed to operate four flights between two countries every week. US Department of Transportation said in its revised order that it will reciprocate if Chinese government allows more flights by American carriers.

Delta Air Lines will reportedly operate two flights from Seattle to Shanghai next week and weekly flights from Seattle and Detroit starting in July. Delta and United Airlines had sought to start daily passenger flights but lack of government approval forced it to change ir plans.

Row over flight ban

Earlier this month, US Transport Department ordered suspension of scheduled passenger flights of Chinese carriers to and from United States, starting June 16. department accused China of failing to permit US carriers to exercise ir bilateral rights to conduct passenger air service to China. 

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It said that four Chinese carriers and US carriers operate scheduled passenger flights currently between United States and China. It furr added that US carriers have asked to resume passenger service beginning June 1, and Chinese government’s failure to approve ir requests is a violation of our Air Transport Agreement.

“ Department will continue to eng our Chinese counterparts so both US and Chinese carriers can fully exercise ir bilateral rights. In meantime, we will allow Chinese carriers to operate same number of scheduled passenger flights as Chinese government allows ours,” it said.

China later said that it will allow foreign airlines, that were blocked from operating due to COVID-19 concerns, to resume limited flights. latest spat between two countries is rooted partly on Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) deciding to impose a limit for foreign airlines based on ir activity as of March 12.  

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(Im Credit: Delta)