American applies for Beijing route

Legacy carrier American Airlines is applying to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a license to fly a direct route between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Beijing, China.

The new route will begin on March 25, 2007, pending DOT approval, and will supplement the current service offered by American between Chicago O'Hare and Shanghai.

American is one of four major airlines competing for passengers on one of the fastest-growing international routes.

The other airlines - United, Northwest, and Continental – are also expected to submit applications for additional service after the DOT announced it would be granting a further permit to airlines that currently serve the Chinese market (see New Chinese route to be opened).

"We're acting on our longstanding desire to increase American's presence in the burgeoning China market," said Gerard J. Arpey, American's Chairman and CEO.

"We believe we can best serve travelers by flying from DFW, our largest hub, to Beijing - China's governmental center."

"If American is awarded this new Beijing service, it will provide substantial benefits by deepening the important cultural and economic ties between China and the North Texas region," Arpey added, "as well as much of the U.S. that is conveniently served through our DFW hub."

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