US airlines seek public backing of China route bids =20 Insider CHICAGO, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The four U.S. airlines jockeying for t= he next route to China are accelerating their campaigns to win support for = their applications from the public and businesses.=20 AMR Corp.'s (AMR.N: Quote, Profile, Research) American Airlines, UAL Corp.'= s (UAUA.O: Quote, Profile, Research) United Airlines, Continental Airlines = (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Northwest Airlines (NWACQ.PK: Quote, = Profile, Research) are all racing to secure the prestigious service to add = to their Asia routes.=20 As they make their case to the Transportation Department, which awards the = route, the airlines also are making their case to potential customers.=20 "This is not some normal route application. China is where it's at," airlin= e consultant Michael Boyd said. "It's critical because airlines that have t= he best access to China are going to have the best revenue flows domestical= ly and internationally."=20 U.S. carriers, battered by low-cost competition at home, have sought out gr= owth on lucrative international routes, and China's economic expansion pres= ents a strong opportunity for airlines with service there.=20 The Transportation Department has said it would grant one additional daily = route to China to one of four U.S. airlines that already fly there. The app= lication deadline was in August, and the government is due to make its choi= ce in February.=20 The United States keeps tight reins on rights to fly to communist China, so= competition for the route among airlines is stiff.=20 United, which wants to add service from Washington D.C. to Beijing, is a me= mber of the Capital-to-Capital Coalition, a group of Washington, D.C. organ= izations that supports that route. Currently there is no service between th= e two capitals. Continued...=20 < Previous 1 | 2 Next >=20 =C2=A9 Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved. Ads by GoogleWhat's This? Biotech Industry Rocket stocks & profit potential.Free report from The Motley Fool. www.fool.com Stock Market Trend Legend The only realistic way to get 5536%in 18 months with just one stock. www.value-discovery.com Leading Biotech Stocks See which Biotech stocks made ourwatch list. Totally Free! www.earnings-splits-ipo.com =20 =20 View our videos at: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=3Dewrw4co =20 Roger & Amanda La France