World Airways seeks rights to operate U.S.-China freighter service

World Airways seeks rights to operate U.S.-China freighter service

   World Airways is the latest U.S. airline to apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the right to fly U.S.-China flights under the new bilateral agreement between the two countries.

   The Peachtree City, Ga.-based airline said Monday it has applied for rights to operate cargo service connecting San Jose and Houston to Shanghai and Guangzhou in 2006. World Airways would operate six round-trip cargo flights a week serving San Jose and Houston using its widebody MD-11F freighter aircraft.

   The proposed schedule would offer four flights a week between San Jose and Shanghai, and two flights to Guangzhou. All six flights would originate at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.

   “These services would expand the number of U.S. markets with access to the People’s Republic of China,” said Randy Martinez, World Airways’ president and chief executive officer.

   Last week, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines all applied to the DOT for the right to enter the potentially lucrative U.S.-China market.