American Airlines has requested to delay the resumption of two daily flights to China, citing weak travel demand between the U.S. and China. This comes as international travel between the two largest economies has yet to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels. Currently, American Airlines operates one daily flight between Dallas and Shanghai but seeks an extension from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to hold off on reinstating additional routes. This delay mirrors similar actions by other major U.S. carriers, such as Delta and United Airlines, which have also reduced their China routes for the same reason.
The low demand for U.S.-China travel is influenced by several factors, including geopolitical tensions, lingering COVID-19 restrictions, and economic uncertainties. While there has been some recovery in global travel, the demand for routes to and from China remains far below expectations. Pre-pandemic, American Airlines had a more robust China schedule, but with ongoing challenges, the airline aims to be cautious in scaling its services.
By seeking to extend the waiver, American Airlines hopes to avoid operating flights that may not be economically viable at this time, especially with the competitive environment and the rising costs of fuel and operations. However, they remain committed to monitoring market conditions and adjusting their flight schedules accordingly as demand gradually picks up.
Other carriers are also facing similar challenges, and it is unclear when travel demand between the U.S. and China will fully recover. For now, airlines continue to seek temporary solutions while maintaining a reduced presence on these routes.