The Allied Pilots Association, collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines, has authorized American Airlines to immediately begin flight operations between Dallas-Fort Worth and Beijing, China, pending the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision on route authority for new China service.

The DOT is expected to announce within the next several weeks which of four carriers vying for new China service will be granted the route authority. American, Continental, Northwest and United are fighting for this opportunity.

"APA recognizes how valuable DFW-Beijing service would be to American Airlines, north Texas and the broad domestic and international network our airline serves through its DFW hub," said APA President Captain Ralph Hunter. "We are pleased to be a part of our airline's effort to develop this new market opportunity."

APA presented American Airlines management with a signed letter of agreement today that authorizes DFW-Beijing service. The current APA-American Airlines collective bargaining agreement contains language governing extended long-haul flying such as DFW-Beijing on a city pair-specific basis only, which means airline management must secure an agreement with APA for this new service. This letter of agreement specifies what the pilots will receive in exchange for providing the necessary contractual relief.