US-China flights set for fivefold increase

China and the US agreed to double the number of airlines flying between the two countries and approved a near fivefold increase in passenger and cargo flights over six years. US transportation secretary Norman Mineta said the deal would add 14 new US passenger flights a week this year, increasing to a total 249 flights a week in six years — from 54 now. Airlines allowed to fly US-China routes will rise from four to nine. Some 111 new cargo flights will be added to the China-US weekly schedule.