Dot Approves Aal To China 2006

Wretched Wrench

Veteran
Apr 21, 2003
1,626
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http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050401/daf038.html?.v=1

The U.S. Department of Transportation today issued its final order granting American Airlines the authority to begin flying to China in 2006. American Airlines will begin nonstop service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Shanghai, China, on April 2, 2006, subject to Chinese government approval. American will become the fourth U.S. passenger carrier to fly to China.

Customers will be able to purchase tickets for American's Shanghai service beginning May 8, 2005. American Airlines flight #289 will depart Chicago O'Hare daily at 11:15 a.m. and arrive in Shanghai at 2:25 p.m. (the following day). Flight #288 will depart Shanghai daily at 5:00 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 5:25 p.m. (the same day).

"We have been anticipating the opportunity to participate in the growing China market for five years," said Dan Garton, American's Executive Vice President-Marketing. "Now, we are thrilled to finally begin preparations for our own service, which will inject a quality service alternative into the marketplace in 2006."

According to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, more than 300,000 companies based in the Chicago region, including 34 Fortune 500 companies, also will benefit from Chicago-to-Shanghai service.

Chicago will become American's primary gateway to Asia. Shanghai will become the 21st international destination served by American from its Chicago hub and will complement American's five routes between the United States and Tokyo and the new American flight between Chicago and Nagoya, Japan.

From Shanghai, American will offer convenient connections to several cities within China through its long-standing partnership with China Eastern Airlines, which is based in Shanghai and is that city's largest carrier.

From its Chicago hub, American and American Eagle operate more than 520 daily flights to more than 110 destinations. From Chicago, American flies nonstop to Japan, Canada, Mexico, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium. On May 1, American will also begin nonstop service to Dublin, Ireland.