DOT Awards Six Direct U.S.-China Routes

September 26, 2007

DOT Awards Six Direct U.S.-China Routes
Sept. 26, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Transportation approved six new non-stop routes between the United States and China this week. Delta Air Lines has been awarded direct service between Atlanta and Shanghai and they will begin flying the route on March 30.

Six U.S. carriers were awarded routes – Delta, American, Continental, Northwest, United and US Airways. A recent agreement between the two countries has lessened bilateral aviation agreements that had once prevented such direct flights.

United Airlines will begin a daily non-stop service between San Francisco and Guangzhou next spring. The DOT proposed awards for other new daily flights including 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 agency approval on these flights is expected soon.

Earlier this year, NTA transportation partner United was awarded a non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Beijing.

NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP, traveled to Beijing, earlier this month to represent NTA at the Eighth Beijing Central Business District International Business Festival. Simon spoke at the Tourism Forum about business and leisure travel, as well as China’s urban development and the important role travel and tourism play in that development.