WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - American Airlines ( AAL )

on Friday asked the U.S. Transportation Department to

allow it to delay resuming two daily flights to China from the

United States, citing lagging travel demand between the world's

two largest economies.

The U.S. air carrier currently operates a daily flight

between Dallas and Shanghai and asked approval to extend a

waiver to continue not flying two other daily flights to China

saying "U.S.-China passenger demand has not recovered to

pre-pandemic levels."

Both Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) and United Airlines

have also sought permission to continue not operating most of

their China flights.