Midwest-China Hub Commission Identifies Chinese Airline Partner
St. Louis Chinese American News
January 28, 2011
The Midwest-China Hub Commission with its regional partners have taken the next critical step in establishing St. Louis as a key cargo hub for Chinese trade in the Midwest. Recently, staff members from London Export Company, on behalf of the Commission, met with officials from the Civil Aviation Administration China (CAAC). At that time, the Commission was notified that China Cargo Airline of China Eastern has been identified as the airline to negotiate and study the Chinese-St. Louis cargo air route.
"This is welcome news and a key benchmark we have been diligently working toward," said Mike Jones, chairman of the Midwest-China Hub Commission. "It is yet another important part of the process of opening this new air trade route with China, but there is still much work to do. We are only at the feasibility stage, although the designation suggests there is considerable interest from the Chinese side."
"This is the news we've been waiting for," said Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, director of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. "We are thrilled to have the designation of the carrier from China and look forward to negotiating with them with, hopefully, the prospect of launching this route in 2011."
