The US has agreed a significant accord with China that is set to double the number of daily passenger flights between the two countries.
Under the current agreement, ratified in 2004, only ten daily commercial flights connecting the US and China are permitted. They can only touch down in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
US secretary of transportation Mary Peters and her Chinese counterpart, the minister of civil aviation Yang Yuanyuan, confirmed the details of the “landmark” agreement, which will increase the number of journeys to 23 per day by 2012.
A new daily link will be introduced this year, with another in 2008, four more in 2009, three extra in 2010 and two more in both 2011 and 2012. A cap on the number of permitted cargo flights to China will also be lifted.
“Piece by piece, we are making it easier, cheaper and more convenient to fly people and ship goods between our two countries,” said Ms Peters. “We both understand that the path to friendship and cooperation is paved with easy access and close connections.”
US Airways was awarded the right to begin flying to Beijing from Washington DC earlier this year. The carrier described today’s announcement as a “landmark Ö free market enterprise”.
Anyone planning a trip to the world’s most populous country should be sure to invest in suitable travel insurance cover before boarding their flight.
Contributed by J.Bevan
