Northwest Airlines has revealed that the governor of Tennessee has added his support in the China route case before the U.S. Department of Transportation.The airline is seeking government approval to provide daily, nonstop service between its WorldGateway at Detroit hub and Shanghai, China.

“We would like to thank Governor Bredesen of Tennessee for his support of Northwest’s application for additional passenger service frequencies between the United States and China,” said Andrea Fischer Newman, senior vice president of government affairs.

Governor Phil Bredesen’s letter stated the Detroit to Shanghai service would provide convenient connecting service to China from four major cities in Tennessee, and will help stimulate trade and travel between China and the Midsouth region.

Northwest operates a total of 20 roundtrip flights daily between four Tennessee airports in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport, and the airline’s WorldGateway at Detroit international hub.

Governor Bredesen joins the governors of Michigan and Minnesota, along with the bi-partisan coalition of 17 legislators in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, in supporting Northwest’s application.

Northwest proposes to start nonstop Detroit to Shanghai service on or about March 25, 2007, using its Boeing 747-400 aircraft with 65 seats in World Business Class and 338 seats in coach class.

Individual, corporate, government and community support of the Northwest proposal is extensive as more than 168,000 individuals signed letters and petitions supporting the airline.
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