U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced a final decision to select US Airways to inaugurate its first U.S.-China service in 2009 as well as to award additional U.S.-China passenger flights to American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines also for 2009.

The Department’s decision confirms its tentative decision issued in a Sept. 25 show-cause order. The awards are the result of an agreement signed in July by Secretary Peters and her Chinese counterpart to open up new opportunities between the two countries that will double the number of daily flights allowed between the United States and China over the next five years.

“We are taking every opportunity to make it easier to do business and more convenient to stay connected with one of our largest trading partners,” said Secretary Peters. “These new direct routes will provide more options for both business and leisure passengers traveling between the United States and China.” 

U.S. Airways will fly between Philadelphia and Beijing, while American, Continental and Northwest each will use the awards to add a new daily flight to their existing U.S.-China service. American will begin Chicago-Beijing service, Continental will operate a new flight between Newark /New York and Shanghai, and Northwest will fly between Detroit and Shanghai. All 2009 services must begin on or about March 25, 2009.

The new agreement with China also will result in two new daily flights to begin next year. In September Secretary Peters announced final decisions awarding Delta Air Lines a new daily flight between Atlanta and Shanghai and United a new daily San Francisco-Guangzhou service. Both carriers plan to begin the new flights in spring 2008.