UPS Awarded Flights Into China

November 21, 2000 5:16 PM, EST

The Department of Transportation Tuesday announced the first expansion of air routes into China in five years, with six direct routes going to United Parcel Service (UPS).

UPS said it plans to fly six frequencies using Boeing 747 aircraft. Four of those flights will originate in Ontario, Calif., and two will originate in Newark, N.J.

The company said it would be able to create 1,200 jobs in the United States as a result, and described the move as the type of trade expansion that enjoys wide support. UPS’ efforts were backed by the Teamsters, 37 state governors and over 300 members of Congress, the company said.

Last year, U.S. airfreight trade with China came to $6.3 billion, which makes up more than half the $11.3 billion in international air-cargo shipments. UPS rival FedEx (FDX) has been serving China since 1984, and started direct flights in 1995, Bloomberg News reported.

UPS is the world’s largest express carrier and package delivery company, serving more than 200 countries and territories.