Beijing, July 26: China's flag carrier air China will start a new direct air service between Beijing and New York via the arctic lessening the flight time by eight hours, a senior company official has said. The flying hours between Beijing and New York will be reduced from 21 to 13 with the airline operating Boeing 747-400s on the route, Li Jiaxiang, a senior official of air China said.
Air China will operate test flight via the arctic on August 16 and the service will be started from September 27, Li said.
The company is also planning to build China's largest air freight company with Hong Kong Citic Taifu company and Beijing capital airport group, he said.
The registered capital for the joint venture will be 270 million US dollars with air China as the biggest shareholder.
The proposal had been submitted to the general administration of civil aviation of China and the company is expected to be set up by the end of 2002.

The joint venture would own four boeing-747 cargo planes and employ about 1,200 staff. The air routes would reach 29 cities in 19 countries including New York and Frankfurt.

Bureau Report