The Department of Transportation proposed this week to award new weekly cargo flights to four carriers currently serving the U.S.-China market.
The DOT proposed an award of three all-cargo flights each to current U.S.-China carriers FedEx, Northwest Airlines, Polar Air Cargo and United Parcel Service. The rights would become available March 25, 2006.
The new agreement provides for an increase in weekly U.S.-China cargo flights for each country's carriers from 54 to 249 over the next six years.
UPS currently flies from the United States to China 12 times weekly and will expand that number to 18 early this year. UPS will be able to offer seven-day-a-week service to Guangzhou and increased capacity to Shanghai on the two busiest days of the week, Thursday and Saturday.
Carriers applying to become new entrants in the U.S.-China cargo market include Evergreen International Airlines, Gemini Air Cargo and World Airways.
Comment on the DOT's proposed decision is due March 4, with replies to comments due March 9. After reviewing all comments, the DOT will issue a final decision.
Melissa Campanelli covers postal news, CRM and database marketing for DM News and DMNews.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters
