China to allow limited charter flights from several countries
China will soon ease border restrictions for nationals of several countries.
According to China state media, the Civil Aviation Administration of China will allow both Chinese and international airlines to apply for chartered flights to selected destinations in the country.
It is open for routes linking Singapore, Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland, according to the Global Times newspaper.
The CAAC said airlines can apply for ‘green channels’ to operate charter flights but it is unclear how many flights will be permitted.
Airlines may apply to provincial air regulators to run the passenger charter flights.
South Korea was the first country to agree a ‘green channel’ with China earlier this month for travel to 10 cities including Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing.
CAAC deputy director Li Jian said the national regulator will look at increasing the number of scheduled international flights if market demand improves.
While China closed its borders to foreigners in March, it still allowed a limited number of flights, with each airline permitted to fly one route in and out of China just once a week.
Last week the US accused China of blocking US airlines from resuming flights to China because of this rule.
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