Truce reached: U.S. and China to both allow 4 weekly flights between countries

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) have been locked in a bitter dispute over allowing flights between the two countries.  Due to a clause in the CAAC's policy, U.S. carriers weren't allowed to fly to China period, whereas Chinese carriers were allowed 4 weekly flights to the U.S.  The DOT appealed the rule but the CAAC wouldn't budge, so the DOT returned fire and threatened to block all Chinese carriers from flying to the U.S. starting this week.  But now, both parties have reached a truce as the CAAC will allow for 4 weekly flights between the countries for U.S. carriers.  The DOT's statement:

The U.S. Department of Transportation was notified that U.S. carriers have been approved to fly 4 weekly flights to China. The affected U.S. airlines have confirmed this. 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 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. As the Chinese government allows more flights by U.S. carriers, we will reciprocate.   

Delta Air Lines, which along with United Airlines petitioned the DOT to appeal to the CAAC on their behalf, received approval from the Shanghai government to launch flights today between their Detroit and Seattle hubs to Shanghai (via Seoul Incheon).  United is mulling their options and will likely resume flights to China in the coming weeks.

Delta's relaunched flights between the U.S. and Shanghai via Seoul Incheon

In early January, there were over 300 daily flights between the U.S. and China.  But now that number will be capped at 8.  Even with the eased restrictions, you still may want to re-consider any travel to China whatsoever as Beijing has experienced a second coronovirus outbreak, resulting in the cancellation of 70% of the flights out of the nation's capital as well as school closures.

Quick thoughts

It's good to see both sides come to a truce, as their ability to get along will definitely influence future travel between the two superpowers.  Eight daily flights are now allowed between the two countries, though it's still best to avoid visiting the origin country of COVID-19.

From all of us at Flying for Fitness, please stay healthy during this trying time.  We hope you enjoyed this post.  Please consider visiting one of our sponsors by clicking on the advertisements.  Our sponsors pay us for customer visits and help us to keep the lights on.  Thanks!