United Airlines may create a new flight route between Beijing
and Washington D.C. from March next year, Mark Schwab, Pacific
region Vice-President of the airlines, said on Wednesday, adding
the White House approved the move.
A Washington D.C.-Beijing route would not only enhance political
ties of the two countries, but stimulate economic, cultural and
technological growth, he said.
With the coming of the 2008 Olympic Games and the 30th
anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic ties in
1979, a non-stop service between the two capitals was of great
significance, observers said.
The US Department of Transportation plans to start a non-stop
service to China in March 2007 will be finalized by the end of this
year.
Four American airlines have been competing for the service.
Besides the United Airlines, American Airlines plans to link Dallas
with Beijing, Northwest Airlines is due to start a Detroit-Shanghai
service, while Continental Airlines will open its New York-Beijing
route.
Nine non-stop routes already link China and the United States,
but travelers between Washington D.C. and Beijing must currently
transit via Los Angeles.
(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)