Washington authorized Chinese airlines to increase weekly flights to the U.S. on Wednesday.

 

Washington authorized Chinese airlines to increase weekly flights to the U.S. on Wednesday.    The decision comes amid a dispute over the ability of Chinese airlines to continue flying their aircraft through Russian airspace.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) increased the number of weekly round trips that Chinese airlines can make to the U.S. from eight to 12, matching the number authorized by Beijing for U.S. airlines. USDOT said it aims for a "gradual, broader reopening," of passenger flights between China and the U.S. The department noted in its order that Beijing's COVID-era restrictions on air travel continue to have a "devastating" impact on the U.S.-Chinese air services market. China and the U.S. allowed each side to fly over 150 round trips a week before restrictions were imposed in 2020. Two U.S. senators objected in February to the ability of Chinese airlines to fly over Russia while U.S. carriers remain barred from doing so. The letter noted that the discrepancy gave Chinese airlines advantages over their U.S. competitors. The U.S. government's decision to authorize more flights despite domestic pressure may signal that Washington is offering a concession to Beijing.