Report - DL Gets China Route Authority

Here we go, fellas!

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Delta is expected to be awarded a new Altanta to China route (ATL-PVG).

Quote:

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters is scheduled to hold a press conference Tuesday morning at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to "make an announcement regarding new air service," according to a press advisory released Monday.

Officials familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named, said they believe the DOT scheduled the event to announce the awarding of flying rights to Delta for at least one new route to China.

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Read the full article here: http://www.ajc.com/business/content/bus ... b_web.html

U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETERS ANNOUNCES
NEW U.S. – CHINA AVIATION ROUTES FROM ATLANTA, SAN FRANCISCO, CHICAGO, NEWARK, DETROIT AND PHILADELPHIA

ATLANTA, GA – Flying from the United States to China will be more convenient, thanks to new direct routes from Atlanta and San Francisco announced today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters. The Secretary also announced proposed awards for service from Chicago, Newark, Detroit and Philadelphia.

“By bringing China and the U.S. one step closer, we increase our ability to compete, boost our success in the global marketplace, and make international travel for all passengers easier and more affordable,” Secretary Peters said.

Secretary Peters announced that Delta Airlines had been awarded a new direct route from Atlanta to Shanghai, making them the first airline to fly that route. The Secretary also announced that United Airlines was awarded a direct route from San Francisco to Guangzhou, to begin flying in 2008. Both the Delta and United awards represent final decisions by the Department.

Peters also proposed awards for four new daily flights to begin in 2009: American Airlines for Chicago-Beijing service, Continental Airlines for Newark-Shanghai service, Northwest Airlines for Detroit-Shanghai service, and US Airways for Philadelphia-Beijing service. Final decisions of these proposed awards will be made in the near future after further public comment.

Secretary Peters said the announcement today is the result of an agreement signed in July with the Chinese government to open up airways between the two countries and double the number of daily flights allowed between the U.S. and China over the next five years. The agreement also allows for new cargo flights operating to and from the U.S. and China.

By increasing competition, allowing more flight options, and reducing costly stops and layovers, these new direct routes are expected to lower fares and increase convenience for both business and leisure passengers to travel to China, Secretary Peters said.

Personally, I am disappointed that DL gets ATL-PVG before CO gets EWR - PVG. This doesn't help me a bit. But personal benefits aside, I suppose a direct route from the South to China is needed.

Nice to see Delta starting to increase services to Asia. Go Delta!