Air China to launch direct Beijing-Houston flight  

國(guó)航30年后首開(kāi)赴美新航線 北京7月直通休斯敦

全球市值最高的航空公司——中國(guó)國(guó)際航空公司在此間15日宣布，將于2013年7月11日開(kāi)通中國(guó)首都北京至美國(guó)第四大城市休斯敦的直達(dá)客運(yùn)航班。國(guó)航和休斯敦機(jī)場(chǎng)管理局當(dāng)天在休斯敦市聯(lián)合召開(kāi)新聞發(fā)布會(huì)稱，新航線的開(kāi)通將使休斯敦成為美國(guó)中南部前往中國(guó)的第一門(mén)戶。

Houston (CNS) -- Air China, one of the country's major airlines, will launch direct flights from Beijing to Houston on July 11 this year, a company spokesman said Tuesday.

Chi Zhihang, Air China's general manager for North America, made the remarks at a joint press conference with the Houston Airport System. Air China will make the approximately 14-hour flight four times a week on a new generation Boeing 777-300ER, he said.

Chi said that Houston, with its vibrant business community and fast-growing, diverse population, is a perfect choice for an additional gateway for Air China. It offers the most convenient connections to China for our passengers from Texas and other neighboring states, he added.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker welcomed the news, saying "This new direct route to China will ensure our success in growing the Texas regional economy and strengthen the global ties to our trade partners in China."

Houston will become the airline's fourth destination in the U.S. following New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.