US carriers postpone launch of China routes

Two US airlines that recently received government approval to begin new routes to China will postpone the launch of services due to high fuel costs, AP reported. United Airlines, which received final approval from the US Department of Transportation for a route between San Francisco and Guangzhou in September, has asked for a one-year delay in launching the route. US Airways, which received tentative approval for a Philadelphia-to-Beijing route in September, said it is planning to ask for a similar delay. Routes between the US and China are coveted by airlines because air service between the two countries is restricted by bilateral agreements. United hopes to begin service on its new route in June 2009, while US Airways hopes to commence its first route to China in 2010.