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China, U.S. Sign Aviation Pact,  Reprint permission
The United States and China signed an air services agreement June 18 that is expected to nearly quintuple the number of flights between the two countries over the next six years. Air cargo carriers are expected to be the agreement's chief beneficiaries, collectively gaining 111 new flights per week. The agreement also will allow five additional air carriers from each country to serve U.S.-China routes. The United States is expected to name an all-cargo carrier later this year. "This agreement recognizes the critical role of commercial aviation in the rapidly growing U.S.-China trade relationship," Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said. "This agreement represents a giant step forward in creating an international air transportation system that meets the needs of the new global marketplace." UPS and FedEx, as well as passenger carriers Northwest Airlines and United Airlines, already serve the market. UPS expects to gain additional frequencies under the agreement for which it had lobbied hard. "Our business has experienced explosive growth in China, and customers are asking us to do even more for them in this important region," UPS Chairman and CEO Mike Eskew said. "The ability to gain new service rights and increase our presence in China will allow UPS to even better serve the needs of our customers."
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