U.S.-China negotiate new aviation routes

U.S.-China negotiate new aviation routes The U.S. Department of Transportation announced awards for two new services between the United States and China, and proposed awards for four others.
   Delta Airlines was awarded a new direct route from Atlanta to Shanghai, making it the first airline to fly that route. It plans to start the service March 30, 2008.
   United Airlines was awarded a direct route from San Francisco to Guangzhou, also to begin flying in 2008.
   DOT Secretary Mary Peters said the new services would “increase our ability to compete, boost our success in the global marketplace, and make international travel for all passengers easier and more affordable.”
   Peters also proposed awards for four new daily flights to begin in 2009:
   ' American Airlines for Chicago/Beijing service.
   ' Continental Airlines, Newark/Shanghai.
   ' Northwest Airlines, Detroit/Shanghai.
   ' US Airways, Philadelphia/Beijing.
   Final decisions of those four awards will be made after further public comment.
   Peters said Wednesday's announcement is the result of an agreement signed in July with the Chinese government that will double the number of daily flights allowed between the United States and China over the next five years. The agreement also allows for new cargo flights operating to and from the United States and China.