Air China wants to radically alter its route network to the United States. Facing a dramatic drop in traffic, as well as restrictions around passengers who can be admitted to the USA, the carrier is proposing to slash the cities served and the flight frequencies. It also is seeking a rather unconventional overall operational plan.
PEK
American gives up on China – Chicago connections
Just over a year after admitting publicly that the routes “often don’t earn enough cash to cover the price of fuel” American Airlines is officially surrendering its route authorities from Chicago-O’Hare to Beijing and Shanghai. Both Delta and United figure to gain significantly as a result.
United Airlines wants more Shanghai, hindering American’s China plans
United Airlines joined Delta Air Lines in seeking additional service to Shanghai. The move puts American Airlines in a bind as that carrier hoped to squat on route authorities that are now in demand by the competition.
Hawaiian Airlines bails on China
Hawaiian Airlines will drop its service to China this October after the Golden Week celebrations. The move comes amid a growing tariff battle that significantly and adversely affects US-bound travel from China.
American is "playing to win" with international route shake-up
“We very often don’t earn enough cash to cover the price of fuel on the flight.” That’s definitely not what you want to hear from the VP of network planning. For American Airlines, however, it is part of a major shift in international operations at its O’Hare hub.