The U.S. Transportation Department announced its approval of six new air routes to China, of which two are to be launched in the wake of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The other four are to start operating in March 2009.

The routes to serve transportation for the Olympic Games are a Delta Airlines direct route from Atlanta to Shanghai and a United Airlines direct route from San Francisco to Guangzhou. In addition, four daily flights will start in 2009: a Chicago-Beijing service by American Airlines; a Newark-Shanghai service by Continental Airlines; a Detroit-Shanghai service by Northwest Airlines; and, finally, a Philadelphia-Beijing service by U.S. Airways.

However, only the first two routes received final approval, while the last four will still be evaluated while they are open to public discussion. Delta Airlines said it plans to fly Boeing 777's on its Atlanta to Shanghai route by the end of March, if two new planes are delivered by Boeing by that time.

"By bringing China and the United States one step closer, we increase our ability to compete, boost our success in the global market place, and make international travel for all passengers easier and more affordable," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters upon the announcement.

The first non-stop service between the capitals of the United States and China began to operate in March this year, when United Airlines began to operate a daily flight from Washington to Beijing.