US carriers fight for China flights

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

US airlines have made their final presentations to federal regulators in the hope of securing the first new flights to China from the US in over a decade.

Competition for the new routes has been fierce, with three major airlines and other smaller carriers all competing for what could become very lucrative services. China is considered the next big airline market with a population of over 1bn and a rapidly growing economy. Currently only United Airlines and Northwest Airlines operate US-China flights.

American Airlines and Continental Airlines are bidding to launch services from Chicago to Shanghai and Newark to Beijing and Shanghai respectively in 2005. Delta Air Lines is looking to operate Atlanta-Beijing services from 2006, reports The Associated Press.

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