Delta, United Awarded Service; New Routes Open To Bid

Like President Nixon before them, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will go to China. That's the word from US Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters, who announced Tuesday new service to China from Atlanta, GA and San Francisco.

The Secretary also announced proposed awards for service from Chicago, Newark, Detroit and Philadelphia.

“By bringing China and the US one step closer, we increase our ability to compete, boost our success in the global marketplace, and make international travel for all passengers easier and more affordable,” Peters said.

Delta Airlines will be the first carrier to fly from Atlanta to Shanghai. United Airlines was awarded a direct route from San Francisco to Guangzhou, to begin flying in 2008. Both the Delta and United awards represent final decisions by the Department.

Peters also proposed awards for four new daily flights to begin in 2009: American Airlines for Chicago-Beijing service, Continental Airlines for Newark-Shanghai service, Northwest Airlines for Detroit-Shanghai service, and US Airways for Philadelphia-Beijing service. Final decisions of these proposed awards will be made in the near future after further public comment.

Secretary Peters said the announcement today is the result of an agreement signed in July with the Chinese government to open up airways between the two countries and double the number of daily flights allowed between the US and China over the next five years. The agreement also allows for new cargo flights operating to and from the US and China.

By increasing competition, allowing more flight options, and reducing costly stops and layovers, these new direct routes are expected to lower fares and increase convenience for both business and leisure passengers to travel to China, Peters said.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.delta.com, www.united.com