ORD-PEK Held Up over Unfavorable Slots-TITLE CHANGED BY MOD

[FWAAA]

The PEK saga continues:

American Airlines to Begin Four Times a Week Flights Between Chicago and Beijing on May 25 and From Beijing to Chicago on May 27
Daily Service Begins July 3, 2010

Press Release Source: American Airlines On Monday May 10, 2010, 12:11 pm

CHICAGO, May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines today announced it will begin nonstop service from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on May 25, with four flights per week, and will operate four nonstop flights per week from Beijing to Chicago starting May 27. Beginning July 3, American will offer daily departures from both cities.

"Beijing Capital International Airport is a slot constrained airport and we recognize the challenges the Chinese aviation authorities face in determining slot assignments. We will continue to work with them to secure more appropriate arrival and departure times in the future," said Craig Kreeger, American's Senior Vice President – International. "Meanwhile, we look forward to launching our new flights and are contacting our customers to assist and reaccommodate them based on the new schedule."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-to-Begin-prnews-3881863923.html?x=0&.v=1

Daily beginning July 3? I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[The Goose]

The PEK saga continues:



http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-to-Begin-prnews-3881863923.html?x=0&.v=1

Daily beginning July 3? I'll believe it when I see it.

All Southwest would have to do is hang a few gas tanks on their 73s - they'd take the slots - right?

 

[IORFA]

PEK left 1hour 25 minutes late yesterday on the inaugural. Maintenance delay. Nothing but the best at AA.

 

[upsilon]

"Bribes Bought Airport Slots"

The WSJ report on reasons why AA might have received the middle-of- the-night slots

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/graft-jolts-chinas-airline-sector-2010-07-01?siteid=nbsh

 

[eolesen]

I guess it really *was* management's fault they didn't get good slots ---- someone didn't bribe the right officials!...

 

[The Goose]

I guess it really *was* management's fault they didn't get good slots ---- someone didn't bribe the right officials!...

I said that quite some time ago.

Yep - bribes, graft, and corruption. The USA ain't shabby in that regard either.

 

[FWAAA]

Bribery and kickbacks certainly were the rule at PEK. Former head of Beijing Airport sentenced to 12 years for corruption ($740k) over 13 year period 1996-2009; his predecessor was put to death for corruption:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/world/asia/china-former-airport-chief-sentenced.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-16082573

This guy was out by time AA was screwed over its PEK slots, so I wonder when the current head of PEK will be charged?

 

[WorldTraveler]

Bribery and kickbacks certainly were the rule at PEK. Former head of Beijing Airport sentenced to 12 years for corruption ($740k) over 13 year period 1996-2009; his predecessor was put to death for corruption:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/world/asia/china-former-airport-chief-sentenced.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-16082573

This guy was out by time AA was screwed over its PEK slots, so I wonder when the current head of PEK will be charged?

the real question is if there is any chance to improve AA and DL's slot timings. PEK from the perspective of the US carriers is a 2 class airport. UA/CO with well-timed flights to from the US and AA and DL with late night arrivals, early morning departures. Since the PMNW flight to NRT fit that pattern anyway, there is no real timing difference. UA/CO's PEK flights enjoy a revenue advantage because of their better timings which does allow connections.