WATF Applauds U.S. DOT Washington (Dulles) – Beijing Service Decision

Capital to Capital Connection First to Serve Mid-Atlantic Region

The Washington Airports Task Force (WATF) today applauded the U.S. DOT proposal to award United Airlines seven weekly frequencies between the capital of the United States and the capital of China.  While most of the other major capitals around the world already enjoy direct air service to Beijing, Washington DC does not – despite the fact that the Washington metropolitan area is the fourth largest in the country and is by far the largest metropolitan area lacking nonstop service to China.

“We knew all along that, based on merits, United Airlines’ proposal to serve the route from Washington Dulles offered the best decision, and that as long as the decision was based on the potential benefits to passengers and shippers and not which airline would benefit the most, that United Airline’s application should prevail,” stated Carol Welti, Vice President Marketing and Development for the Washington Airports Task Force.

With 80% of workers in the Washington region employed in the private sector, the region has had the country’s largest job growth over the past five years, and is number one in high-tech employment, surpassing the San Francisco Bay area.  This high-tech sector of our economy is on the cutting edge of economic growth and generates more air travel than any other sector in our country’s economy.  “Nonstop air service between Washington and Beijing will fulfill an extremely vital need for our region’s high-tech industry, opening the opportunity for the creation of numerous new, high-paying jobs,” Welti added.

“The Washington D.C. region has air service to virtually all the major capitals of the world—except Beijing, and given the enormous trade, services and foreign policy interests between the U.S. and China, we are delighted that these two capitals will be linked with nonstop service,“ stated Welti. 

United Airlines’ service to Beijing will be the first to serve the Mid-Atlantic region.