There is a hopeful boost coming for US-China transpacific air travel.
China’s airlines have been given US Transportation Department approval to increase weekly round-trip US-China flights to 50 per week.
That is a significant increase on the current 35 weekly flights.
It takes effect from March 31.
Even by allowing the extra capacity it is still way down on pre-pandemic levels.
Before Covid airlines could operate up to 150 weekly flights.
Still, it is a ‘significant step forward in further normalization of the US-China flight market in anticipation of the summer 2024 season,” the US DOT said.
Since Covid, the respective regulators have very gradually permitted more flights between the two countries.
US officials have been involved in talks with Chinese counterparts for months to implement a roadmap to provide for a gradual, broader reopening of the U.S.-China air services market.’
Also, China has simplified the complicated process for US travelers to get a visa for China.
