American applies to DOT for Dallas/Beijing flights

American applies to DOT for Dallas/Beijing flights    American Airlines has filed an application with the United States Department of Transportation to operate a daily nonstop service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Beijing, China.
   American hopes to start the service March 25, 2007, using Boeing 777 aircraft.
   “We’re acting on our longstanding desire to increase American’s presence in the burgeoning China market,” said Gerard J. Arpey, American’s chairman and chief executive officer. “If American is awarded this new Beijing service, it will provide substantial benefits by deepening the important cultural and economic ties between China and the North Texas region, as well as much of the U.S. that is conveniently served through our DFW hub.”
   American was earlier this year granted entry into the U.S./China market by the DOT, following the bilateral aviation agreement signed between the countries in 2004. In April, the airline launched its first ever service to China with a daily nonstop service between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Shanghai.
   If American is successful with its latest application, Beijing would become the airline’s 32nd international destination served via its Dallas hub.