US will allow limited flights by Chinese airlines, not a ban

Trump ministration said Friday it will let Chinese airlines operate a limited number of flights to U.S., backing down from a threat to ban flights.

decision comes one day after China agreed to ease its own anti-coronavirus restrictions and allow more flights by foreign airlines. restrictions h blocked U.S. carriers United and Delta from resuming flights between U.S. and China.

Transportation Department said it will let Chinese passenger airlines fly a total of two round-trip flights per week between U.S. and China, which it said would equal number of flights China’s aviation authority will allow for U.S. carriers.

On Wednesday, U.S. said it would prohibit all flights by Chinese airlines to and from U.S. later than June 16. That marked an escalation of tre and diplomatic tension between two countries.

Four Chinese airlines currently fly between U.S. and China.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines suspended competing flights early this year as demand plummeted in face of coronavirus pandemic. United and Delta h petitioned China to resume flights this month. American does t plan to return to China before October.