FOR RELEASE: Friday, June 18, 2004
STATEMENT BY AMERICAN AIRLINES ON ADDITIONAL U.S.-CHINA ROUTE AUTHORITY
FORTH WORTH, Texas -- Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, made the following statement in response to news that the U.S. and Chinese governments have reached agreement on additional access to China for U.S. carriers:
"The agreement between the U.S. and Chinese governments is great news for travel and commerce between our two countries. We commend the negotiators of the Department of Transportation and the State Department for their skill, hard work and sense of purpose in negotiating a market-changing agreement that will result in vastly increased commercial air service between the two countries.
"For several years American has had strong interest in serving China and now looks forward to vigorously participating in the DOT's carrier selection proceeding. In keeping with one of our Turnaround Plan tenets -- "Fly Smart, Give Customers What They Value" -- American is focused on developing a route network that can offer travelers convenient service to all corners of the globe. China would be a sensational addition to the network, complementing our already strong service to Europe and Latin America and our recent expansion in Japan with new service between Los Angeles and Tokyo.
"Although American's opportunities to compete in key Asian markets outside Japan have been limited by governmental restrictions, our aspirations in the region have been high. Through partnerships with Cathay Pacific, a fellow member of the global oneworld alliance, and with Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines and EVA Airlines, we have been able to broaden our reach in the trans-Pacific market. But American will be able to offer our customers so much more in this growing and ever-important market once we are able to operate directly between the U.S. and China.
"The last time U.S.-China route authority was available, American was an aggressive participant in the carrier selection proceeding, and we were deeply disappointed when the designation went to an all-cargo airline. This time, new route authorities will be available for combination carriers like American, and we will again make a strong case for operating the new route from our international gateway at Chicago's O'Hare Airport with nonstop Boeing 777 service to Shanghai.
"Chicago is a huge local market and a connecting center where American can offer convenient access to China from dozens of cities in our U.S. network, and is the perfect choice to operate services provided by the new route authority. With our strong Chicago hub, American is well positioned to present the strongest competitive challenge to U.S. carriers currently serving the U.S.-China market. We look forward to showing DOT that the new route authority is put to best use by promptly awarding it to American Airlines."
STATEMENT BY AMERICAN AIRLINES ON ADDITIONAL U.S.-CHINA ROUTE AUTHORITY
FORTH WORTH, Texas -- Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, made the following statement in response to news that the U.S. and Chinese governments have reached agreement on additional access to China for U.S. carriers:
"The agreement between the U.S. and Chinese governments is great news for travel and commerce between our two countries. We commend the negotiators of the Department of Transportation and the State Department for their skill, hard work and sense of purpose in negotiating a market-changing agreement that will result in vastly increased commercial air service between the two countries.
"For several years American has had strong interest in serving China and now looks forward to vigorously participating in the DOT's carrier selection proceeding. In keeping with one of our Turnaround Plan tenets -- "Fly Smart, Give Customers What They Value" -- American is focused on developing a route network that can offer travelers convenient service to all corners of the globe. China would be a sensational addition to the network, complementing our already strong service to Europe and Latin America and our recent expansion in Japan with new service between Los Angeles and Tokyo.
"Although American's opportunities to compete in key Asian markets outside Japan have been limited by governmental restrictions, our aspirations in the region have been high. Through partnerships with Cathay Pacific, a fellow member of the global oneworld alliance, and with Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Vietnam Airlines and EVA Airlines, we have been able to broaden our reach in the trans-Pacific market. But American will be able to offer our customers so much more in this growing and ever-important market once we are able to operate directly between the U.S. and China.
"The last time U.S.-China route authority was available, American was an aggressive participant in the carrier selection proceeding, and we were deeply disappointed when the designation went to an all-cargo airline. This time, new route authorities will be available for combination carriers like American, and we will again make a strong case for operating the new route from our international gateway at Chicago's O'Hare Airport with nonstop Boeing 777 service to Shanghai.
"Chicago is a huge local market and a connecting center where American can offer convenient access to China from dozens of cities in our U.S. network, and is the perfect choice to operate services provided by the new route authority. With our strong Chicago hub, American is well positioned to present the strongest competitive challenge to U.S. carriers currently serving the U.S.-China market. We look forward to showing DOT that the new route authority is put to best use by promptly awarding it to American Airlines."
