An airplane from China United Airlines at the Beijing Daxing International Airport Photo: Courtesy of China United Airlines

The first chartered flight from the US to China since COVID-19 outbreak is postponed from August 28 to September 12, according to an e-mail sent by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) to its members. The delay gives more time to ensure that all passengers could obtain visas and take pre-departure COVID-19 tests.

The charted flight is expected to take 120 passengers. 

Information provided by AmCham China to the Global Times Wednesday stated that at least 5,000 to 6,000 people in the broader business community remain stranded outside the country, and up to 10,000 people are scattered all over the world, not just in the US.

Nearly 200 people have signed up for the chartered flight, but the requirements are very strict, meaning some of them won't be eligible. 

AmCham China requests members confirm their plans to purchase one or more tickets on the charter flight by Thursday. The flight will fly from San Francisco to Beijing.

The time delay was due mainly to the complexity of the application process for charter flights, and to ensure all passengers can obtain their visas and COVID-19 nucleic acid test results before departure.

Employees of AmCham China members are eligible to board the flight, and their workplace must be in Beijing. In addition, an invitation letter from a Beijing local government entity is needed, said Amcham.

The flight will be operated by United Airlines. Economy class seats will be priced between 30,000 yuan ($4,335) and 35,000 yuan, and Business class seats priced between 70,000 yuan and 90,000 yuan.

According to AmCham, the Beijing municipal government provided preliminary approval for AmCham China's "Back to Work" charter flight on August 14. There are still additional procedures required by the city government before giving final approval, but the Beijing government and AmCham China are doing everything possible to help expedite the return of US employees to Beijing.