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United Airlines
has applied to begin a new, daily nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Shanghai's Pudong International
Airport (PVG) effective October 31, 2004.
Service would commence on that date pending completion of the necessary
regulatory procedures by the relevant Chinese and U.S government agencies.
"Demand for nonstop service between the U.S. and China has grown
exponentially during the past few years and continues to rise," said Graham
Atkinson, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales and Alliances. "We
are experiencing tremendous demand on our nonstop San Francisco-Shanghai
flights - where our planes have averaged more than 90 percent full in recent
months - and are eager to expand our service by providing additional options for
travelers in the U.S. Midwest and East Coast. With more flights to and from
Chicago than any other carrier, United is the best airline to provide new nonstop
service between Chicago and Shanghai."
A recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council states that China's
business travel market is forecasted to grow 21.7 percent in 2004, while personal
travel and tourism is forecasted to grow 22.4 percent. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), China is the second-fastest
growing travel market in Asia, and is expected to realize an average 7.8 percent
annual growth rate over the next 10 years.
"This new nonstop flight by United Airlines will not only bring the thousands of
Chinese community members here in Chicago that much closer to their friends
and family in Shanghai," says Jimmy Lee, executive director-Chicago Chinatown
Chamber of Commerce, "it will also benefit the many Chicagoland and Midwest
businesses who do business with that region and market."
United intends to operate combined passenger and cargo service using a Boeing
777 aircraft configured with 10 United First Suite® seats, 45 United Business®
seats and 198 United Economy® class seats. Beginning in summer 2005, United
plans to increase capacity to a Boeing 747-400 in order to meet projected demand
in this expanding travel market. |
