U.S. expands China-US flight services,easing travel for students
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The number of weekly round trips between China and the United States are set to increase, benefiting students and merchants.
In a push to boost international travel and improve diplomatic ties, the U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled plans to expand the number of weekly round-trip flights between China and the United States. Since Sept. 1, the number of trips increased from 12 flights to 18.
The Department of Transportation has laid out ambitious goals to raise this number to 24 flights per week after mid-October. Although these figures remain well below the pre-pandemic average of approximately 150 weekly flights, the increase marks a promising step toward normalization.
“Direct flights are essential for increasing mutual visits between Chinese and American peoples. We hope that the restoration of more flights will do good to the flow of people and trade between the two countries,” said the Chinese Embassy in Washington to Reuters.
The Chinese government lifted the zero-COVID restrictions in December 2022. Consequently, the resumption of more direct flights between the two nations began.
Direct flights between China and the U.S. have experienced a sharp decline since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, the Civil Aviation Administration of China implemented a flight suspension mechanism, temporarily halting specific flights when COVID-19 cases were detected on board. Despite China’s efforts to adjust this policy to accommodate different airlines’ commercial needs, the mechanism remained in place within the framework of China’s zero-COVID strategy.
An order issued by the Department of Transportation defined the act as an impediment to the agreed “bilateral right to conduct scheduled passenger air services to and from China” under the US-China Civil Air Transport Agreement, and responded by suspending all carriers to and from China.
The announcement of increased flights has elicited enthusiasm among merchants and international students. “Direct flights are so much cheaper now,” said Junyi Huang, a Chinese student studying at USC. “I am seeing more Chinese students planning to go back home for the winter recess.”
China Eastern Airlines is offering direct flights in November from Los Angeles to Shanghai for about 6,000 RMB, equivalent to approximately 825 USD, reflecting the recent price drop. (Screenshot by Zhengxing Aiden Yan of Annenberg Media)
Airfare prices have seen a substantial drop on various booking platforms. A group of USC Chinese students said that the majority of students paid around $1,200 for economy cabin seats from Shanghai to Los Angeles in August to attend school, often necessitating layovers due to limited direct flight options. But, as of Sept. 21, the Chinese booking website ctrip.com started offering direct flight tickets from Los Angeles to Shanghai operated by the China Eastern Airlines for late-November onwards starting from 6,000 RMB, which is approximately $825.
Students also view this expansion as a potential sign of improved relations between the United States and China. “There are always multiple reasons behind such decisions. This news isn’t just about students. It likely also reflects increased commercial cooperation and diplomatic efforts,” said USC student Zitong Wang.
Source: By Zhengxing Aiden Yan, https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2023/09/25/us-department-of-transportation-expands-china-us-flight-services-easing-travel-for-students/
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