Airlines Tout Political, Consumer Support
As they say in Texas, ya better put yer boots on... it's gettin'
deep. This week, US Airways and American Airlines took to Capitol
Hill, touting the carriers' respective strengths as each vies for
the latest route to China.
US Airways told the US Department of Transportation (DOT)
Thursday the airline's bid for daily service to China in 2009
provides maximum competition for US consumers and greater
convenience for shippers, while also establishing a new gateway to
China for more than 150,000 passengers annually.
"Selection of US Airways will allow a strong new competitor to
institute daily nonstop service from a new gateway, using the
largest aircraft proposed by any US-Beijing applicant," the airline
said in reply filings with the DOT. "US Airways' application also
offers the dual benefits of extensive behind- and beyond-gateway
connections, through its comprehensive East Coast network and
codeshare arrangements with both Air China and Shanghai
Airlines."
The airline has proposed seven
weekly roundtrip flights serving more than 150,000 travelers
annually on widebody Airbus A340 aircraft between Philadelphia and
Beijing (hey, as long as the plane isn't heading to Munich...)
Service would originate at the airline's hub in Charlotte, NC on a
smaller Boeing 767.
US Airways noted its case has garnered support from "an
extensive array of elected officials from the Northeast and
mid-Atlantic states." More than 40,000 people also have signed the
airline's online e-petition, according to the carrier.
Those numbers may pale in comparison to those touted by American
Airlines, however... which notes 25 US Senators; 81 US
Representatives; 15 Governors; dozens of mayors, local government
officials and airports; and "thousands" of business and civic
leaders have (ahem) united in "an overwhelming show of support" for
American's bid to fly nonstop from Chicago to Beijing, China,
effective March 25, 2009.
American says letters from US Senators from Illinois, Texas,
Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin as well as the entire 19-member
Illinois Congressional delegation, a majority of the 32-member
Texas Congressional delegation, the entire five-member Oklahoma
Congressional delegation, plus the entire nine-member Missouri
delegation, were sent to DOT Secretary Mary Peters urging award of
authority to American to begin Chicago to Beijing service.
"We are truly
appreciative of the backing that our China application is
receiving," said Will Ris, American's Senior Vice President -
Government Affairs. "We publicly want to thank the effective
leadership of US Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin
(D-Ill.) and U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry
Costello (D-Ill.), along with Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison
(R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) and U.S. House Aviation
Subcommittee members Kenny E. Marchant (R-Texas) and Eddie Bernice
Johnson (D- Texas) for galvanizing the incredible support for
American's efforts. Besides having the support of Chairman
Costello, we are pleased to have support of the Ranking Member of
the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, Thomas E. Petri (R-
Wisc.)."
Ris added, "There can be no doubt at DOT that American's loyal
customers and US political leaders believe American should be
granted China authority in 2009."
American could, perhaps, be forgiven for pulling out all the
stops in its latest effort... as the airline failed to win the first route awarded last
year, due to a last-minute change in routing over
concerns about pilot duty time. United wound up winning the
bid.