FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2007
CONTACT: Geoff Embler or Matt Mackowiak
Sen. Hutchison Urges DOT Secretary to Approve Expanded Service to China for American, Continental
Connected Service to Beijing, Shanghai could Begin March 25, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Texas’ senior Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) today sent two letters to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters in support of applications for expanded air service to China submitted by American and Continental Airlines.
Under a recent U.S. – China protocol that expanded opportunities for carriers of China and the United States, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has opened four new routes to China to competition, with service available to begin March 25, 2009.
American Airlines has applied for service from Chicago to Beijing and Continental Airlines has applied for service from Newark to Shanghai. American operates ten flights daily from Dallas – Fort Worth (DFW) to Chicago and Continental operates 11 flights daily from Houston to Newark. Delta and Northwest Airlines have also submitted applications.
“A new American Airlines flight from Chicago to Beijing would be a gateway to the East, and will stimulate job growth, promote new and existing businesses, increase U.S. – China cultural ties and tourism opportunities to the South,” said Sen. Hutchison. “Approving Continental service to Shanghai in 2009 would provide better opportunities for Texas to someday soon have non-stop service to China as well.”
In March 2006, Sen. Hutchison sent a letter to then DOT Secretary Norman Mineta supporting American’s application for service from Dallas – Fort Worth to Beijing. According to DOT, this application was rejected due to the length of flight time being in violation of work rules for pilots.
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