Continental Airlines applies for permission to begin China flights

Continental Airlines has applied to begin two routes to China from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. In a filing Wednesday with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Continental has requested permission to inaugurate service to Beijing in the spring of 2005 and to Shanghai in the spring of 2006, subject to government approval.

Continental is proposing to operate the flights on a daily basis using Boeing 777 aircraft with 283 seats.

Continental already provides service from Liberty to Hong Kong, which is one of the longest flights in the world.

The DOT will award China route authorities to U.S. airlines pursuant to an agreement between the two countries reached in July 2004.

“U.S.-China traffic has surged as the two economies have grown and formed strong trading ties,” said Continental Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune. “Our Liberty Airport hub is well-positioned to serve China and will provide a good alternative to routes that require a West Coast connection.”

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