Continental Airlines and American Airlines win approval for new flights to China

Airline Industry Information, Feb 23, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The US government has given preliminary approval to Continental Airlines and American Airlines for new air services to China.

A final decision on the flights will be announced after a comment period expires in early March.

Under the tentative approval, Continental Airlines will be allowed to operate seven weekly passenger flights to China that could begin as soon as 25 March 2005, while American Airlines can launch seven flights in 2006. At the moment the route is served by United Airlines and Northwest Airlines.

The decision follows last year's agreement between the US and China over increasing the number of weekly flights between the two countries. New cargo rights were also awarded.

More Chinese airlines are now expected to be granted the right to fly to the United States.

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