China's carriers allowed to compete on some international routes

In late April, Air China and China Eastern Airlines both won approval to launch new flights between Shanghai and London, breaking a longtime unwritten rule that only one Chinese carrier can operate a major intercontinental flight between a particular Chinese city and the United States or Europe.

For years, flights between Beijing and New York have been operated by Air China, in addition to flights operated by US carriers. No other Chinese carriers have been allowed to join the competition.

In principle, international flights from a Chinese city to a city in the US or Europe, except Moscow, should be operated by one Chinese carrier, according to earlier regulations of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.