DFW International Airport Releases New Economic Impact Assessment of Proposed American Airlines DFW-Beijing Route

DFW International Airport Releases New Economic Impact Assessment of Proposed American Airlines DFW-Beijing Route

September 21, 2006

Flight Would Generate $180 Million Annually for State of Texas

    DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Sept. 21
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A new economic survey performed by
the respected global aviation consulting firm SH&E
confirms that the proposed new nonstop service from DFW
International Airport to Beijing, China on American
Airlines would be a boon to the state and regional
economies, adding $180 million to the Texas economy every
year. 

    DFW had previously reported that the new flight -- the
first non-stop flight from to China from the State of Texas
-- would bring $120 million to North Texas, an impressive
figure but based on calculations from several years ago. 
The full economic impact will be generated by job creation,
trade stimulation through increased imports and exports,
visitor spending in North Texas and service growth to
support the new flight.  

    "Texas has strong economic ties to China, and it
continues to grow annually," said Texas Governor Rick
Perry. "Approval of American Airlines' application for
a DFW-Beijing flight will benefit not only the business men
and women who travel there regularly but will boost tourism
between the two destinations."

    If the flight application is approved, the DFW to
Beijing flight will provide first-time one-stop Beijing
service for 30 airports in eight states. In Texas, those
airports include Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, College
Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Houston, Killeen, Laredo,
Longview, Lubbock, McAllen, Midland/Odessa, San Angelo,
Tyler, Waco, and Wichita Falls.  Overall, the DFW
Airport-Beijing route will provide one-stop service between
Beijing and 95 airports in 32 states and the District of
Columbia.

    "We thought it was important to recalculate this
economic impact assessment using the most recent data
available to ensure that the Department of Transportation
is aware of the potential economic impact of this flight,
and to emphasize that the State of Texas is the appropriate
place to launch this new service," said Joe Lopano,
executive vice president of terminal and revenue management
at DFW.  "It is clear that the entire southern sector
of the United States will benefit by having a quick easy
connection from DFW to this incredible city and it will
open up new opportunities for new business and jobs around
our great state and the North Texas region."

    China is Dallas-Fort Worth's largest trading partner,
with total trade valued at more than $13.6 billion in 2005.
 And China is second only to Mexico as the largest trading
partner with the State of Texas, with more than $22 billion
in imports and exports last year.  The DFW gateway serves as
the epicenter of the booming trade connection between Texas
and China, with cargo volumes of 66,313.6 metric tonnes in
2005, an increase of 145% over the past three years. 
American Airlines' strong presence in Latin America also
enables the use of DFW as a hub between China and Central
and South America for international cargo as well as
passengers.

    "China is our number one trade partner in
Dallas/Fort Worth, and we will see a significant increase
in economic development activity if we are approved for a
DFW-Beijing non-stop route on American Airlines," said
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller.  "The Dallas City Council
strongly supports this critical development."  

    "We fully understand and appreciate what a direct
link to Beijing would mean to Fort Worth and our regional
economy," said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. 
"It means real jobs and real opportunities for
thousands of our fellow citizens and businesses.  The city
of Fort Worth strongly supports making this flight a
reality as soon as possible.  Now is the time for non-stop
service to Beijing.  The market is here and this region
deserves this needed service."

    American Airlines announced it would seek the
DFW-Beijing route on July 23 at the Airport's new
International Terminal D, the world's newest international
airline terminal.  In its first year of service, Terminal D
has hosted nine million domestic and international
passengers.  The terminal has won a number of industry
awards for its architecture and design and most importantly
has scored high marks in polling of travelers, with
89-percent of international travelers "pleased and
delighted" with their experience in the $1.2 billion
facility.

    The economic impact study was conducted by SH&E,
one of the world's leading independent aviation consultancy
firms and the largest consulting firm dedicated exclusively
to the air transport industry.

    Visit http://www.flytochinaonaa.com to learn more about
the proposed DFW-Beijing service.
 
    BY THE NUMBERS 

    DFW-Beijing flight on American Airlines:

    Annual Economic Impact for State of Texas    $180
million 
    Total Texas Trade with China                 $22.3
billion in 2005 
    Total DFW Trade with China                   $13.6
billion in 2005 
    DFW Percentage of Texas trade with China     64% 
    DFW-China Trade Growth since 2002            216% in
dollar values
 
    About DFW International Airport 

    Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort
Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's
third busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and
serving 59 million passengers a year.  DFW International
Airport provides non-stop service to 133 domestic and 36
international destinations worldwide.  For the latest news,
real-time flight information, parking availability or
further details regarding the many services provided at DFW
International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com
.

    For more information, please contact:

     Ken Capps
     Vice President Public Affairs 
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  DFW International Airport