sleeplesspig 2007-1-9 03:26 PM
UA: D.C. 直飞北京
United Airlines Secures First-Ever Nonstop Service
between Washington, D.C., and Beijing
DOT cites national interest, capacity in awarding new U.S.-China route
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2007 — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
today awarded the new nonstop U.S.-China route to United Airlines,
reinforcing that the route will provide the greatest public benefit and
promote the national interest by connecting two of the world’s most
important capitals.
In its decision, DOT found that “United’s Washington (Dulles)-Beijing
proposal has important advantages that should benefit the traveling public
while also enhancing sustainability of the service.”
“We applaud the Department of Transportation on their fair and thorough
process and for putting the interest of the nation and the traveling public
first,” said Glenn Tilton, United chairman, president and CEO. “United
Airlines is honored to be selected as the first carrier to connect the
governments, commerce and cultures of these two important capital cities.”
The route that will connect the Washington, D.C., region with Beijing will
launch within 90 days of DOT’s final order. DOT selected the daily service
between Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., and Beijing
Capital International Airport over proposals from American, Continental and
Northwest airlines.
“Our success would not have been possible without the broad base of support
, including our employees, that also recognizes the importance of this long-
overdue air service,” Tilton said.
A diverse group of business and community leaders led by the Capital-to-
Capital Coalition advocated for the air route. It garnered significant
support from 110 members of Congress and a formidable slate of former senior
government officials from eight presidential administrations and both
houses of Congress, China policy experts, business and civic leaders,
transportation officials, top aviation unions, and more than 110,000 United
customers and employees.
Jim Bennett, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority, and Jane Garvey, former FAA administrator under Presidents
William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, chair the coalition.
“In making its prudent decision, it is clear DOT strongly considered both
the national interest and the individual communities served by the route,”
Garvey said. “Creating a link between Washington and Beijing is an
important step in the effort to connect the United States and China some 30
years after diplomatic relations were normalized.”
Highlights of the new route include:
Large capacity
· Service aboard a three–class, 347–seat B747–400
· A network of 16 online connections in China through United's
codeshare alliances with Air China and Shanghai Airlines
· A codeshare agreement that will permit US Airways to provide its
customers access to the China market, along with customers of United
Serving the national interest
· The service will allow Washington, D.C., to join 28 other world
capitals in offering nonstop service to Beijing
Meeting existing local demand
· Direct service for more than 8 million residents of the
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area; Washington is the largest market in the
U.S. without nonstop service to China
· The first local service for the nearly 68,000 D.C. area residents
who traveled to China in 2005
· The first direct route from the Mid-Atlantic region and
strengthened service to China for the entire eastern United States
About the Capital–to–Capital Coalition
The Capital–to–Capital Coalition advocates on behalf of transit
authorities, businesses, trade associations, the diplomatic community,
academics and opinion leaders with the purpose of promoting direct access
between Washington, D.C. and Beijing. The Coalition believes linking the
capital cities of two of the world’s most important nations will span a
critical geopolitical divide and positively impact governmental, business,
academic and cultural relations. We encourage the public to join us in our
efforts by visiting our Web site at [url]www.capitaltocapital.net.[/url]
About United
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates more than 3,700* flights a day on
United, United Express and Ted to more than 210 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Washington, D.C. With key flight operations in the Asia-
Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United is also a founding
member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to
842 destinations in 152 countries worldwide. United's 56,000 employees
reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.
News releases and other information about United can be found at the company
's Web site at united.com.
flyapple 2007-1-9 03:53 PM
啥时候开个hartford直达北京的就好了
波士顿也行啊
省得倒来倒去的