Sino-US air service expaned
22/6/2004 17:40
United Airlines announced yesterday that it will apply to operate
daily flights between Shanghai and Chicago in the United States, following a new
air pact reached between the two countries to expand air service.
The
carrier, which offers the largest number of flights between China and the United
States, became the first firm in the two countries to respond to the new
agreement by asking for more flights.
"All of us at United are excited about
the new agreement. New China service is needed immediately because travel demand
in this market is at record levels," said John Tague, executive vice president
of marketing, sales and revenue for United Airlines .
United Airlines is now
operating the most flights among four US carriers serving the Sino-US aviation
market. It operates 21 weekly flights among the total 54 weekly authorized to US
airlines.
AMR Corp's American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, doesn't
have a China route but plans to tap into the market.
The US Department of
Transportation said in a statement over the weekend that a new air service
agreement lets five additional carriers enter the market from each country. It
allows another 195 weekly flights for each side in five years.
Other carriers
serving China and the US expressed interest in expanding their existing service
to and from China.
Shanghai Daily news
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