FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines today announced that it will begin codeshare service to Hong Kong within a few weeks, now that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved American`s application to provide the service in cooperation with Cathay Pacific Airways, a partner with American in the global oneworld alliance.

American will place its AA code on Cathay Pacific flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York to Hong Kong, and beyond Hong Kong to other cities in Asia. American will also place its code on Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong via Japan. This will be American`s first entry into the Hong Kong market. Cathay will place its code on American’s flights to 20 U.S. cities from Cathay`s gateway cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

“We appreciate the DOT working with us to open this new opportunity to Hong Kong, which is a vibrant market with more than 50,000 Americans residing in the region and hundreds of U.S.-based corporations having offices there, ” said Henry Joyner, American`s Senior Vice President of Planning. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate on this service with our oneworld partner, Cathay Pacific, one of the best airlines in the world.”

Hong Kong is a hub for the Asia-Pacific region, home to regional headquarters and representative offices for multinational companies around the world. More than 600 U.S.-based companies have regional offices there. Also a popular location for international conferences and trade fairs, it hosts more than 300 international conventions and exhibitions each year. The new Hong Kong International Airport is among the most modern in the world and provides an ideal connection to the rest of Southeast Asia. The increased travel generated by American-Cathay Pacific codeshare has been projected to have an economic impact to the U.S. economy in excess of $100 million dollars annually.

“American`s goal to expand its international reach is ever more critical during the industry`s financial crisis,” said Joyner. “Expanding through cooperative relationships, such as this, is a smart, efficient way to add service.”

American Airlines is the world`s largest carrier. American, in concert with American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers, makes up the American Airlines network. Together, they serve more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories with approximately 4,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,100 aircraft. Only American provides More Room Throughout Coach for More Coach Passengers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance.

Through the oneworld alliance, American`s customers accrue and redeem AAdvantage miles, use airport lounges and other conveniences throughout the world. oneworld is the most international of the global airline alliances, serving more than 500 destinations in 134 countries. It consists of some of the best known, highest quality names in the airline business. Besides American Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, members include British Airways, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, LanChile and Aer Lingus.

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