No US ruling yet on Air China’s bid for extra flights during Xi Jinping’s visit

As of late Monday, Hong Kong time, the US Department of Transportation had not announced a decision on Air China's application to add extra flights supporting this week's US-China high-level visit. The trade association Airlines for America, representing major US airlines, had filed an objection to Air China's bid for additional Beijing-New York and Beijing-Washington flights on September 19 and 25.

The association argued that it was unfair for American airlines to be excluded from flying over Russian airspace, which offers shorter, less costly, and more economical routing for Chinese airlines. China had confirmed President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States from September 20 to 22. The trade association highlighted that US airlines were effectively barred from serving the same non-stop markets on the East Coast, for which Air China seeks authority.

Air China did not respond to requests for comment. The trade and lobbying organization includes major carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines among its 11 members. Russia's ban on European and North American airlines from its airspace due to sanctions against Moscow has given Chinese carriers an advantage in terms of shorter flight times on China-Europe routes.

Granting extra flights would allow Chinese carriers to operate above current limits set by both countries, potentially setting a precedent for incremental additions outside that framework, the association contended.