Chicago used to be an airport where American Airlines had many routes joining Asia to suggest to travellers. But taking into consideration the previous year the number of destinations available has greatly lessened. There used to be daily flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Starting from October 2018, there are no flights from Chicago to Beijing and Shanghai operated by American Airlines. And from December 2018, there are only three flights per week to Tokyo but there used to be daily ones.
In total, American Airlines suggests its customers three flights per week instead of 21 ones.
The reason is money loss which the routes to China caused to American Airlines. But the company claimed it to be a suspension not a cancellation.
There are certain restrictions of slots for US to China flights. And if American Airlines had given its slots to DOT, there would have been a possibility for other carriers to get the slots. But the company was in no hurry to do it.
It has claimed the cancellation to be temporary. And it has reassured that the flights would be resumed.
But the DOT took it with a pinch of salt and gave time till June, 28, 2019. In case of not resuming flights, the slots are to be given to other carriers.
The deadline was over and American Airlines did not manage to restart its flights to China from Chicago. So, the company sent a letter to the DOT saying that slots are available for other airlines.
The DOT will study the matter to know which airlines are interested in China routes. And having done it, it will be decided on which airlines to choose.