American Airlines seeks Chicago-Shanghai approval

American Airlines is seeking authority to begin a daily nonstop service between Chicago and Shanghai, China, starting on May 1 of next year. This opportunity results from the highly successful negotiations by the Departments of Transportation and State, in which the United States won the right to designate two additional airlines to serve China in the next two years.

"This would be a big breakthrough for us in the Asian market," said Gerard J. Arpey, American's Chairman and CEO. "Since the  reopening of the U.S.-China aviation market more than 20 years ago, only two U.S. passenger carriers have had the authority to serve China, the world's largest country, and for most of that time their service has been provided through Japan."

Shanghai would become the 19th international destination served by American from its Chicago hub. From Shanghai, American would be able to offer connections to several cities within China through its long-standing partnership with China Eastern Airlines, which is based in Shanghai.