News
Delta asks for temporary waiver extension for U.S.-China allocations
August 31st 2026
Delta Air Lines has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) to extend the temporary waiver to retain 23 of the 42 frequencies it holds for flights between the U.S. and Mainland China that it does not intend to use during the northern hemisphere winter scheduling season from October 2026 to March next year. Read More » Currently, the Skyteam alliance member operates 19 return services a week between China and the U.S. - daily flights from Detroit and Seattle to Shanghai Pudong, as well as five flights a week on the Los Angeles-Pudong route. "There is good cause, and it is in the public interest, to grant Delta’s request for a dormancy waiver," Delta said in its submission to the DoT. Delta said there were ongoing challenges in the US-Mainland China market. "Given these challenges, further extensions of dormancy waivers may be necessary in the future," Delta said. "Delta will reassess in the coming months and, if necessary, request further relief from the department when appropriate." The 23 frequencies for which Delta is seeking a temporary extension comprise seven Atlanta-Shanghai, Detroit-Beijing and Seattle-Beijing return flights, as well as two return flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai.
