UNITED LAUDS DOT DECISION ON U.S./CHINA RIGHTS

UNITED LAUDS DOT DECISION ON U.S./CHINA RIGHTS    United Airlines applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's tentative approval of additional cargo and passenger airline rights, which gave United two additional frequencies to China.
   The airline said the additional frequencies would allow it to offer daily nonstop service between San Francisco and Shanghai. United began providing nonstop service five days a week between the two cities earlier this year, as well as daily service from San Francisco to Beijing. the airline also plans to begin daily nonstop service from Chicago to Shanghai in April.
   “The combination of daily nonstop flights to China by United gives U.S. travelers and businesses a level of service commensurate with this extraordinarily important and rapidly growing market,” said Shelley Longmuir, United's senior vice president-international, regulatory and governmental affairs.
   United has provided service to China since 1986 and has invested heavily in the market, providing service from the United States to Shanghai and Beijing via connecting service through Tokyo from United hubs in Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.