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United wants China connection It'd mean one stop in S.F. from Medford to Shanghai By JIM DAVIS Medford and other communities along the West Coast may soon be getting a little better access to China. United Airlines -- which serves the Medford airport -- is seeking support from West Coast cities to get a daily flight direct to Shanghai, China, from San Francisco. No U.S. air service now flies directly to that country, said Alan Wayne, the regional director of public affairs for United. "Shanghai is a booming business metropolis and tourism destination," Wayne said. It would mean that Medford air travelers -- either on business or tourism -- could fly directly to Shanghai after a single stop at San Francisco. Currently, only three U.S. air carriers -- United, Northwest Airlines and Federal Express -- even fly to mainland China. And those routes all come with a layover in Tokyo. Wayne said a couple of Chinese airlines also fly direct to and from the United States, but the flights are infrequent and not on a regular schedule. The direct flights to China became possible after a recent aviation agreement between the countries a couple of months ago, Wayne said. Chinese officials agreed to allow direct flights to be phased in during a three-year period. The U.S. Department of Transportation will decide how those new trips are divided. United sought support from city leaders in communities that would benefit from the new flights -- including Medford Mayor Lindsay Berryman, who wrote a supporting letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Wayne said the company has also received support from several politicians such as Gov. John Kitzhaber and most of the state's congressional delegation. "We view this as a good thing for Oregon and it has been well received," Wayne said. Medford air travelers fly infrequently to China, said Bern Case, director of Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport. But he said any improvements are always welcome. Jean Bowyer Cowlings, the export sales manager for Sabroso Co., a Medford business recently named the top exporter in the state, said that the move would have little effect on her company because they don't have dealings in China. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA