EAGAN, Minn., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Airlines today said that its pilots are ready, willing and able to fly daily nonstop service between Detroit and Shanghai, China, if the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awards new route authority to Northwest.
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"Northwest pilots see no operational problems as we have been flying from the U.S. to China since 1947, longer than any other American airline currently flying," said Captain Dave Stevens, Master Executive Council Chairman of the Northwest chapter of the Airline Pilot's Association (ALPA).
Captain Stevens added, "Northwest pilots stand ready, willing and able to fly nonstop from Detroit to Shanghai. Northwest pilots support the airline's DOT application for nonstop service to Shanghai. We believe that Northwest is better suited to provide superior service to Shanghai from its state-of-the- art Detroit WorldGateway than any competitor."
Northwest's proposal offers the most benefits to travelers:
-- Northwest forecasts that the route will benefit 214,000 passengers in
the first year of service from its WorldGateway at Detroit hub.
Northwest would carry 70,000 more passengers than American, 62,000 more
passengers than Continental, and 8,000 more than United.
-- Northwest will provide the most U.S. cities with convenient
connections. Because of its superior geographic location, Northwest's
Detroit hub can provide optimal service for 95 connecting points,
compared to 48 for American, 43 for United and 39 for Continental.
-- Individual, corporate, government and community support of the
Northwest proposal is extensive as more than 170,000 individuals signed
letters and petitions have been sent to the DOT -- more than any other
applicant.
Northwest proposes to commence nonstop Detroit to Shanghai service on or about March 25, 2007, using its large capacity Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
Northwest Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.
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