China-North America flights just 20% of pre-pandemic level

Geopolitical tensions slow recovery as travel demand to other regions soars

20240624N air china

Air China is increasing flights between Beijing and Sapporo as the weak yen makes Japan an attractive destination. (Air China)

SHIZUKA TANABE, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- Scheduled flights between China and North America this fall are on track to total only 20% of the 2019 pre-pandemic level, hindered by prolonged U.S.-China tensions and Beijing visa policies that encourage travel to and from Southeast Asia and Europe.

Before the pandemic, U.S. and Chinese airlines each operated over 150 flights weekly between the two countries. Travel restrictions enacted in response to the coronavirus shrank that number to four per week in June 2020, Chinese media report.

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