ryane946

Saw this article today. US Airways is applying for a 2008 route to China. US Airways wants to fly from Philadelphia to Shanghai. I don't think the 767 or A330 can make that trip. The A350 may be able to make it, but that is not due to arrive for several years.

How is US Airways going to serve this route???
According to the article:
Here is the full article below:

From the East Coast to the Far East

TEMPE, Ariz., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways LCC plans to apply for Philadelphia-Shanghai service later this year when the U.S. Department of Transportation calls for 2008 U.S.-China applications. If approved by the DOT, the service will begin in March 2008 and will be the new US Airways' first service into Asia.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO)

"This proposed route would be the first US Airways service to China and would provide access from our largest international hub to one of Asia's leading countries for commerce, culture and tourism," said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. "China is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, an important destination for both business and leisure flyers."

"US Airways' decision to base its first non-stop flights to China out of Philadelphia is a testament to the region and builds on the company's commitment to Pennsylvania," said state Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Philadelphia International is a world-class facility, serving one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. Its reputation for excellence will help the airline succeed in this competitive industry, while creating new opportunities for the region's residents and travelers."

"US Airways application for nonstop service to China addresses the Philadelphia region's need for convenient access to one of the world's rapidly growing economic, cultural and tourist centers," said Mayor John F. Street. "This exciting initiative will open new opportunities for mutually beneficial economic and cultural exchanges between one of Asia's most important countries and one of America's great cities."

US Airways currently serves 19 million customers annually at its Philadelphia hub, and operates 425 daily flights daily to 109 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The airline will add service to Athens, Greece; Brussels, Belgium and Zurich, Switzerland from Philadelphia beginning in May.

"Expansion to Asia is a logical next step for our airline, our 37,000 employees, and our customers," Parker said. "We are well-positioned at Philadelphia to conveniently serve business travelers from communities large and small throughout the Eastern United States, including the Mid-Atlantic region, and leisure travelers who are discovering Asia in increasing numbers. At the same time, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to Philadelphia as US Airways' primary international hub."

Facts on Philadelphia:

* The fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States with a
population of six million people

* Largest U.S. metro area to not have service to China or Asia

* Second-largest city on the East Coast.
US Airways is close to making a decision on acquiring aircraft suitable to fly Philadelphia-Shanghai nonstop and has ample time and financial resources to do so.

US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than 37,000 aviation professionals worldwide. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 3,800 flights per day and serve more than 230 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The new US Airways -- the product of a merger between America West and US Airways in September 2005 -- is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers our customers 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries worldwide. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at www.usairways.com. (LCCG) -Fly with US-

Copyright 2007 PRNewswire