Chinese airlines consider St. Louis market

Chinese airlines consider St. Louis market    Four Chinese airlines have agreed to partner with the Midwest-China Hub Commission and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on a feasibility study to assess the potential for opening St. Louis/China freight routes, the St. Louis Business Journal reported Monday.
   St. Louis officials spent nine days in China to court airlines and meet government and business leaders in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Haikou. China's Civilian Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and four airlines, Air China, China Eastern, Jade and Hainan, each agreed to assess the potential for opening St. Louis/China cargo routes.
   As part of the study, some Chinese companies will visit St. Louis to examine the undeveloped land around Lambert and the area's highway, rail and river access, the newspaper reported.
   According to St. Louis officials, the city is in competition with Chicago and Dallas to attract Chinese air freight.