AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES have each tentatively won one of the hardest fought route battles in the US, securing the right to fly from the US to China from 2005 and 2006, the first new awards to China for passenger airlines in more than 20 years. The new services stem from an agreement last year between the two governments allowing an increase of flights. The Department of Transportation announcement follows an aggressive lobbying campaign. American Airlines marshalled the support of 26 senators, seven governors, 24 mayors and 38 airports, while Continental and Delta submitted at least 10,000 employee letters to underpin their application. United Airlines and Northwest are the established carriers between the US and China.
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