U.S. Department of Transportation Further Modifies June 3 Order Regarding Chinese Carriers

Since March, Chinese government policy had blocked U.S. air carriers from resuming passenger service between the United States and China. Chinese air carriers continued to fly between the two countries. The United States responded with an order, effective June 16th, that would limit Chinese air carriers to the total number of flights U.S. air carriers were allowed to fly.

Today, on June 15th, 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.