Continental pilots back Shanghai link

Pilots at Continental Airlines have backed plans by the carrier to introduce a link between New York/Newark and China's largest city, Shanghai, in 2007.

Members of the Air Line Pilots' Association (ALPA) and the airline's pilots union have urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve Continental's bid to provide a new business link.

Captain Dave Earnest, ALPA union leader, said that Continental's 4,600 pilots were "ready, willing, and able to operate Shanghai service" and called upon transport decision-makers to back a lucrative route to the world's most populous country.

"Winning the route to the large and growing Chinese market would help to continue the ongoing growth that began two years ago at Continental," he said.

"If the DOT makes the right decision, Continental pilots will be flying to Shanghai in 2007."

Should the bid get the go-ahead, Boeing 777s will depart Newark Liberty International Airport at 11.50am and touch down in Shanghai's Pu Dong International at 2.05pm the following afternoon, local time.

Daily services would leave China's business capital at 4.05pm, returning to Newark at 6.30pm the same day.

American Airlines has also proposed nonstop flights to Shanghai in 2007, but from Dallas/Fort Worth, while Northwest Airlines has proposed a link from Detroit. United Airlines hopes to secure DOT approval for flights from Washington D.C. to Beijing.

© Adfero Ltd