US airlines oppose China's bid to add more flights

The head of industry

group Airlines for America said on Thursday that US carriers

oppose adding more direct flights from China to the United

States even as Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the idea.



Chris Sununu, who heads the group representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and others, said US carriers continue to be hampered by

the fact that Chinese counterparts are allowed to overfly Russia on eight flights. He said he has been advocating to Trump administration officials not to give in.



"It's not just a minor thing. It's a huge cost to the airlines to have to go around Russia," Sununu said in an interview.



At an event in Washington on Thursday, Xi raised the idea of increasing flights. Currently, the United States and China each can operate around 50 round-trip flights per week.



"Our two sides may also increase direct flights to facilitate two-way travel and trade," Xi said.



The White House did not immediately comment.