New Chinese route to be opened

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is inviting bids from various airlines to compete for an additional daily U.S. to China route that will be launched from next year, the Chicago Tribune reports.

At present there are fewer than a dozen flights between the two countries, but demand is high and the need for more frequent services is growing rapidly.

Following fierce competition the last time an opening for a new China service was announced, the DOT says it will only allow carriers currently serving the route to bid for additional flights.

The next time a new carrier will be able to begin serving the world's most populous country from the United States is in 2008.

It has been two years since additional aviation access to China was last granted. At the same time in 2004, an agreement was made between the U.S. and China to boost direct air service over the next few years, which will in turn help to drive down the cost of air travel.

All the current carriers between China and the U.S. plan to submit routes, according to sources, which include United, American, Northwest, and Continental Airlines. A decision on the route will be made in the next couple of months.

© Adfero Ltd