American Airlines has launched a special Web site to gain public support for its application to begin nonstop service to Beijing, China, from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on March 25, 2009.
The airline is asking its employees as well as travelers, businesses, and civic, political and community leaders who are interested in supporting American’s bid for authority to fly from Chicago to Beijing to go to www.flytochinaonaa.com.  The new site offers detailed information about the proposed route and directs customers to an easy online petition they can sign in order to express support for American’s bid.
“Public support is one measurement used by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) when deciding which routes to award airlines in a competitive environment,” said Will Ris, American’s Senior Vice President - Government Affairs.  “We are asking potential travelers in 29 states and the District of Columbia who will benefit from the American route from Chicago to Beijing to help us win the route by weighing in with DOT on our application.”
American’s Chicago hub is an important gateway to Asia, with more than 500 daily departures to 118 nonstop destinations offered by American and its regional partner, American Eagle.  The Chicago-to-Beijing route will provide increased customer choice and network competition with other carriers currently serving China and will complement American’s existing service from Chicago to Shanghai.  American is a founding member of the global oneworld® Alliance.
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