Delta Plans 3rd Bid to Fly to China in works ; Routes would link Shanghai, Atlanta in '08

Delta Air Lines is launching another bid for China flights, this time applying for government permission to serve Shanghai nonstop from Atlanta starting in 2008.

The Atlanta carrier is expected to tout its China plans at a news conference today with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

The flights would connect the "commercial and financial center of the world's largest country with Delta's expansive route hub at Atlanta-Hartsfield, the largest hub in the world," the carrier says in an application to be filed today with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Delta bid for flight rights to Beijing in two prior route cases, but the much-coveted rights went to rivals or cargo carriers. Delta had previously said it hoped to begin flying between Atlanta and Beijing before the Olympics open there in 2008.

Delta spokeswoman Gina Laughlin said Shanghai is now more attractive partly because it has fewer daily flights to the United States than Beijing --- five vs. seven --- even though with 18 million people it is a larger city and the world's biggest port.

"Delta is without question the best choice for the next airline designation to China," Delta Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein said in a written statement. "We are confident that this new route will provide a significant boost to trade and tourism worldwide and will provide unparalleled access for customers traveling to and from China."

The new service would be on Boeing 777s, widebody jets with roughly 270 seats. Delta next year expects to upgrade seats in its BusinessElite cabins so that they convert to flat beds. A Shanghai flight would be Delta's longest from Atlanta, at almost 7,700 miles. It would take about 15 hours, depending on direction and winds.

But first, Delta has to win the competition against American Airlines and other carriers that also want more routes to China. After losing in the previous cases, Delta is the largest U.S. carrier without a presence in one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Route cases have become increasingly high-stakes, public contests, with carriers setting up promotional Web sites and enlisting employees and politicians to bombard the DOT with testimonials.

Last week, the DOT awarded tentative approval to United Airlines to begin daily service between Washington and Beijing in late March, after a route case open only to carriers already serving China. American withdrew its application from that case and is expected to throw its hat into the ring again for a 2008 route.

Under a bilateral agreement with China, next year's route awards will be open to newcomers as well as cargo and passenger carriers already there.

In its filing, Delta argues that its proposed route would provide the only nonstop China flights from the Southeast, and the only service to Shanghai from the eastern United States.

Delta has been laying groundwork in China.

It opened a sales office last year in Shanghai, it has lobbied government officials on both sides of the Pacific, and it has participated in various trade delegations, workshops and conferences.

Today's news conference at Atlanta City Hall will highlight state and local government support. In Delta's media invitation, Franklin called China "one of the most significant export markets for Georgia and the southeastern United States."

In an e-mail statement forwarded by Delta, Gov. Sonny Perdue said, "Delta's international focus is a tremendous complement to our new Global Georgia initiative, and in particular, the opening of our office in China this year. We will continue to support this great Georgia company as it connects our state to new destinations across the world, boosting Georgia's economic development and tourism efforts."

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