WORLD Routes, the global airline and airport networking event, is celebrating more success following the announcement from three major international carriers that they plan to launch new routes as a result of key meetings during the recent gathering in Beijing, China.
The first is the introduction of a non-stop scheduled service between Chicago and Beijing, operated by One World member, American Airlines. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has also announced two new services – its first services to Japan.
The carrier will introduce a new five-times weekly direct service between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo Narita from March 27, 2010. However, Etihad will begin its services to Japan with an onward connection to its current Abu Dhabi–Beijing service to Nagoya beginning on February 1, 2010.
Both routes are subject to final regulatory clearance and are to be operated with A330 aircraft.
A further route, from United Airlines, will fly from the airline’s Washington Dulles hub to Bahrain. The flight is an extension to its current Dulles-Kuwait City service.
Nigel Mayes, Routes’ managing director, said: “All three carriers had actively been requesting proposals prior to the event through the Route Exchange element on our website.
The introduction of the new routes was then discussed by each party in the meeting facilities provided at World Routes, a place where real business takes place. These services are the latest in a long line that have begun as a result of contacts initiated at Routes.”
The American Airlines service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Beijing, which will begin in April 2010 using 245-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, is also the result of Routes’ unique meeting opportunities.