Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) More open skies between China and the US. Washington and Beijing have in fact reached an agreement to significantly expand air traffic between the two countries and eliminate restrictions on each other's airline companies. The accord stipulates that over the next six years the number of weekly commercial and cargo flights should rise from the present 54 to 249, including 14 new flights beginning this August.
"It falls just short of an 'open skies' accord," US Transportation Norman Mineta told AP before the signing ceremony with Yang Yuanyuan, minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.
The accord, which should lead to a price drop as a result of increased competition, allows both parties to start new negotiations in 2006 to further open up the skies.
