2011-01-19 14:19

LOS ANGELES - China's largest airline Air China will open a second daily flight between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Beijing beginning Sept 1, generating millions of dollars annually and sustain several thousand local jobs, the airline announced Tuesday.

Air China will use Boeing 747-400 aircraft for the new service, which is expected to double the choices for passengers and creates excellent connections to other important Asian destinations such as India, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, the airline officials said.

"Beijing and beyond will be well served by this new flight, making China's capital city a true global hub," said Zhihang Chi, Air China vice president and general manager for North America.

"Los Angeles and China have enjoyed a partnership of over 150 years based on historical, educational, cultural, business trade and investment, and tourism ties," said Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa.

"I am very proud that Air China's additional nonstop flight between LAX and Beijing will strengthen these long-standing ties with one of the most desirable cities in Asia and the growing markets of China."

China continues to be Los Angeles' largest trading partner, with total two-way trade valued in 2009 at $155.3 billion for the Los Angeles Customs District including the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and LAX, a study released by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) said.

One average daily, round-trip, transoceanic flight of wide-body aircraft to/from LAX generates $623 million in economic output annually, and sustains 3,120 direct and indirect jobs in Southern California with annual wages of $150 million, Southern California' s premier economic development organization said.

LAX is the only US airport to offer nonstop service provided by China's three major international air carriers:  Air China to Beijing, China Eastern to Shanghai and China Southern to Guangzhou.