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.

FMI: www.usairways.com/china, www.flytochinaonaa.com