US DoT grants Hainan Airlines application for Beijing-Chicago service

US Department of Transportation granted (18-Jul-2012) an application from Hainan Airlines to provide new scheduled service between Chicago and Beijing. "This is good news for air travelers in the Chicago area and around the United States," US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "This service will provide the public with an additional option for traveling to China." There currently is no nonstop service between Chicago and Beijing by a Chinese carrier using its own aircraft. Both American Airlines and United Airlines currently provide daily nonstop service in the Chicago-Beijing market. Hainan filed its application on 18-Jun-2012. No objections were filed to Hainan's application, which sought rights available under the US-China aviation agreement. Hainan proposes initially to operate four times weekly service, using Boeing 787 aircraft, beginning in 2Q2013. [more - original PR]