BEIJING (Reuters – China will allow 408 domestic passenger flights to the country each week during its winter season. That’s down from 644 per week, China’s aviation regulator stated on Friday.

This is 21.1% less than a year ago, when international travel was still severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As more economies open their borders, the announcement is likely to dampen hopes of any immediate opening up of Chinese borders. China’s zero-COVID policy towards domestic sporadic outbreaks has had far-reaching consequences for its economy.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), in a statement posted on their website, stated that “the shift of season in international passenger flights will remain in line with relevant requirements from epidemic prevent and control policy as well as transportation support.”

Additionally, it stated that international scheduled flights for the next season, which may be affected by cancellations later, would equal 2.2% of levels pre-COVID.

According to the CAAC, August’s weekly international flight levels were approximately 2% below 2019 levels. More flights were also being suspended due to an increasing number of COVID-19-related cases.

CAAC reported that 6,172 international flights per week were recorded, mainly cargo flights.

To alleviate concerns about rising coronavirus infection rates, the CAAC cut international flights by 5% in March 2020. So-called “Five One”, a policy that allows foreign airlines and mainland airlines to only fly one flight per week, to China.

CAAC has modified this policy to include flight suspensions, capacity caps or flights being added if there are more than a few passengers infected by COVID-19.

Air China (OTC) told analysts in September that it expected the CAAC not to lift restrictions on international passenger flight throughout the first half 2022.