The U.S. Department
of Transportation today issued its final order granting American Airlines
the authority to begin flying to China in 2006. American Airlines will
begin nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to
Shanghai, China, on April 2, 2006, subject to Chinese government approval.
American will become the fourth U.S. passenger carrier to fly to China. Customers will be able to purchase tickets for American’s Shanghai service
beginning May 8, 2005. American Airlines flight #289 will depart Chicago
O’Hare daily at 11:15 a.m. and arrive in Shanghai at 2:25 p.m. (the
following day). Flight #288 will depart Shanghai daily at 5:00 p.m. and
arrive in Chicago at 5:25 p.m. (the same day).

“We have been anticipating the opportunity to participate in the growing
China market for five years,” said Dan Garton, American’s Executive Vice
President-Marketing. “Now, we are thrilled to finally begin preparations
for our own service, which will inject a quality service alternative into
the marketplace in 2006.”

According to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, more than 300,000
companies based in the Chicago region, including 34 Fortune 500 companies,
also will benefit from Chicago-to-Shanghai service.

Chicago will become American’s primary gateway to Asia. Shanghai will
become the 21st international destination served by American from its
Chicago hub and will complement American’s five routes between the United
States and Tokyo and the new American flight between Chicago and Nagoya,
Japan.
——-