United Airlines has requested an extension
through Oct. 29 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure a slot for
a second daily flight between San Francisco and Shanghai. The DOT already has
twice granted extensions as United works to secure a slot, which historically
has been a
difficult
process for U.S. carriers. The current extension expires March 26. United
also is asking for authorization to fly to Shanghai from Guam instead on an
interim basis. That would buy United time to establish the long-haul service
from San Francisco to Shanghai should China grant the slot from its side and
require United to use it more quickly.