DOT Expects to Soon Award New China Route

A pending decision by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters could make life easier for U.S. travelers going to Beijing or Shanghai.

Within the next few weeks, Peters is expected to award new route authority to one of four U.S. air carriers.

The U.S. and China agreed in 2004 to gradual expansion of air service between the nations, and the airline that wins this new route can be expected to gain more than $100 million in annual revenue. Service could begin in March.

Under consideration at DOT:

*Newark-Shanghai, Continental Airlines.

*Washington Dulles-Beijing, United Airlines.

*Detroit-Shanghai, Northwest Airlines.

*Dallas/Fort Worth-Beijing, American Airlines.

DOT gets to choose a route that it thinks will best serve the public interest. But that hasn't stopped the airlines from waging intense public lobbying campaigns to try to influence the decision.

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