The tension between the US and China over resuming flights both ways have eased this week after Washington allowed four roundtrip flights between the US and China to be serviced by Chinese airlines.

This came after Beijing also eased restrictions and allowed two US airlines — United and Delta — to make two round trip flights each per week, also a total of four weekly flights.

A Department of Transportation notice on June 15 said it was informed that US carriers have been approved to fly four weekly flights to mainland China, and will reciprocate this move also by allowing Chinese carriers to service four roundtrip weekly flights between China and the US.

“We welcome this action by the Chinese government, as an important first step to fully restore air travel,” it said.

The DOT noted that it will “continue to press for the full restoration" of pax flights between the two countries. 

The US, however, rejected China's request to mount more service saying they are trying to “maintain the parity” in the number of scheduled flights between the two countries.

The US earlier said it will allow Chinese carriers to operate the same number of scheduled passenger flights as the Chinese government allows US airlines to do so.

The DOT earlier banned Chinese airlines from operating flights starting June 16 — in response to China's move to also stop US airlines from resuming China service that time to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease.