US airlines compete for prized Chinese routes

A number of airlines are competing to gain control of what promises to be a lucrative new direct route, between Los Angeles (LAX) and Shanghai, less than a year in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games in

Beijing. United Airlines was one of several carriers with plans to introduce the new route, but was ultimately turned down by the US Department of Transportation. Delta Air Lines, however, has been given the green light to begin flying between Atlanta and Shanghai next year, while United can at least take some solace in the fact that the Department of Transportation has approved its request to begin flying between San Francisco and

Guangzhou in 2008. The acute interest on the part of American carriers to increase the number of routes to China, and create new destinations as well, is an indication of the important role that the Olympics will play in boasting the country’s image on the world stage and attracting new tourists.

American Airlines may also soon enter the Chinese market, with flights from Chicago to

Beijing, following the Department of Transportation’s recommendations. Continental, one of six major carriers in the US, may also soon launch new routes from Newark to Shanghai, while Northwest looks at the possibility of flights between Detroit and

Shanghai. The new routes are expected to be phased in gradually between 2008 and 2009. Despite United’s inability to secure the Los Angeles – Shanghai route, the airline may still end up flying to six major cities in

China starting next year.

Travelers in California—especially businesspeople who fly most often—are keen to see more competition on routes from airports in this southwestern state to

China. Presently, only a small handful of Chinese airlines operate flights from

Los Angeles to the world’s most populous country.

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