US, China agree to more than double passenger flights by 2012
The US and China yesterday announced the establishment of a new air services accord between the countries that will more than double the number of passenger flights by 2012 and offer airfreight operators "greatly expanded commercial freedom," according to the US Dept. of Transportation.
"Piece by piece, we are making it easier, cheaper and more convenient to fly people and ship goods between our two countries," US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said.
Yesterday's piece does not constitute the open skies for which the Americans were hoping (ATWOnline, April 16), but it is significant. Starting this year, US carriers will be allowed to operate a total of 13 additional daily frequencies to and from China within the next five years, more than doubling the current total of 10. One frequency will be added this year and next, followed by four in 2009, three in 2010, two in 2011 and two in 2012.
The US also will be able to designate three new airlines to fly into China, one in 2007 and two in 2009. Freight operators will benefit from the lifting of all restrictions on the number of cargo flights and carriers authorized to fly between the countries by 2011.
As part of yesterday's agreement, US and Chinese officials agreed to resume negotiations in 2010 "to establish a timetable to achieve the mutual objective of full liberalization," DOT said.
Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said open skies remains the ultimate goal but yesterday's deal "is an important first step." Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and Continental Airlines each released statements congratulating negotiators on the agreement and promoting their applications for new service. Atwonline
The US and China yesterday announced the establishment of a new air services accord between the countries that will more than double the number of passenger flights by 2012 and offer airfreight operators "greatly expanded commercial freedom," according to the US Dept. of Transportation.
"Piece by piece, we are making it easier, cheaper and more convenient to fly people and ship goods between our two countries," US Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said.
Yesterday's piece does not constitute the open skies for which the Americans were hoping (ATWOnline, April 16), but it is significant. Starting this year, US carriers will be allowed to operate a total of 13 additional daily frequencies to and from China within the next five years, more than doubling the current total of 10. One frequency will be added this year and next, followed by four in 2009, three in 2010, two in 2011 and two in 2012.
The US also will be able to designate three new airlines to fly into China, one in 2007 and two in 2009. Freight operators will benefit from the lifting of all restrictions on the number of cargo flights and carriers authorized to fly between the countries by 2011.
As part of yesterday's agreement, US and Chinese officials agreed to resume negotiations in 2010 "to establish a timetable to achieve the mutual objective of full liberalization," DOT said.
Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said open skies remains the ultimate goal but yesterday's deal "is an important first step." Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and Continental Airlines each released statements congratulating negotiators on the agreement and promoting their applications for new service. Atwonline