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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 10, 2007 United Airlines to get nonstop route to China First such route will go from Washington, D.C. to Beijing The Washington Post WASHINGTON — United Airlines Tuesday won tentative federal government approval to begin daily nonstop flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Beijing. In a hotly contested competition, UAL Corp.'s United beat out three other carriers — Continental Airlines Inc., Northwest Airlines Corp. and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines — for a single U.S.-China route being offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Washington-Beijing service, which could begin as early as March 25, would further enhance Dulles' reputation as an airport offering nonstop, long-haul flights. The airport already offers nonstop service to such overseas destinations as Tokyo, Seoul, Johannesburg and Buenos Aires. Northwest had hoped to fly to Shanghai from Detroit. Continental applied for a route between New Jersey's Newark Liberty Airport and Shanghai. American wanted to fly between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Beijing. Advertisement Late in the selection process American sought to make its proposed nonstop flight a one-stopper, a change the DOT cited in denying the airline's bid. The competing airlines will have two weeks to file objections to the DOT decision. American appears to have bowed out, saying in a news release today it will apply for additional China routes when they are offered. The DOT said it chose United's bid because a Washington-Beijing route has "the potential to benefit the greatest number of passengers," the agency said in a news release. "More people travel from the Washington metro area (to China) than from any other U.S. city that currently does not have nonstop U.S.-China service." The route has sparked intense interest because of China's growing economy and the planned 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Direct U.S. flights into China also are relatively rare because the Chinese government has restricted access to foreign carriers. The four airlines competed fiercely for the new route, hiring lobbyists, seeking endorsements from high-profile figures, buying full page ads in major newspapers and commissioning studies that purported to show the economic benefits of their respective proposals. United, for example, said in a news release last October that its proposal was the only one "endorsed as beneficial to the critical relationship between the U.S. and China by a broad range of senior foreign policy experts and officials, including three former Secretaries of State, three former Secretaries of Defense and eight former U.S. Trade Representatives." United also commissioned a study by George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis, which projected that the Dulles-Beijing route could bring $275 million to $333 million in economic gains to the Washington area, including 3,400 to 4,100 new jobs. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which runs Dulles and Reagan National airports, said today that the D.C. area was a logical choice for the route because it has the largest population among U.S. communities that do not have nonstop service to China. "We believe we made a compelling case for this direct service to the capital of China and are very appreciative of all the support we received throughout the region, across state and political interests, for this service," said James E. Bennett, the airports authority's president and chief executive. The new route should stimulate new business ties between China and the Washington region, according to Gerald L. Gordon, chief executive of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. "Whenever air service to new markets opens up, there is a significant increase in activity between local businesses and those markets," he said in a statement. "That new business will translate into new jobs, wealth generation, and additional tax revenues from which Fairfax County can provide public services." With the Dulles-Beijing service, United would offer more than 253,000 seats annually in the U.S.-China market, according to the DOT. United plans to use a 347-seat Boeing 747-400 on the route. The airline says two of its code-share partners, Air China and Shanghai Airlines, will offer connections in Beijing to other cities in the region. c Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com