Originally Posted by
kb1992
Not yet. DOT order gives CAAC until June 16 to decide.
China is in a tough spot. If they agree 2 weekly flights, then they must cut two flights and people who bought tickets will be mad.
If they agree 4, then UA/DL will operate 2 each. This crushes 5-1 policy and they lose face in public.
China only has itself to blame. Whoever designed idiotic 5-1 policy clearly has no idea about international air rights. The whole thing makes China look bad among international community.
I suspect the Chinese government is quite happy to agree to 2 weekly flights for each side.
The PRC wants to minimize the risk of returnees spreading the virus, so China would love to stop all inbound flights from countries where COVID is still uncontrolled. But cutting off travel completely makes China look hypocritical (since China criticized other countries for cutting flights back in January) and also pisses off citizens who are stuck outside the country. The 5-1 policy was meant to open the door just enough so overseas student, etc. won't be too pissed off, but still substantially limit risk.
However, if it's the US government that's limiting flights, China can just shrug its shoulders and say "hey that's the best we can do, it's out of our control," and only having 4 weekly flights keeps the number of returnees and the risk of re-seeding COVID to a minimum until a vaccine is found.
1 of the 2 weekly flights will be given to CA. The other weekly frequency may rotate between MU and CZ.
Alternatively, with CX possibly getting bought out by CA, maybe CZ can finally join OneWorld and get AA to restart a China flight, so there'll be 3 weekly flights on each side.