Bond hopes Lambert Chinese cargo flights start early 2011
St. Louis Business Journal
December 17, 2010
By Kelsey Volkmann
Outgoing U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., said Friday he met with Vice Premier Wang Qishan this week and that both expressed hope that Chinese air cargo flights to Lambert airport could begin in early 2011.
The pair met in Washington, D.C., this week for the 21st meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
Earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon reportedly postponed a trade mission to Taiwan days after the Chinese consulate and St. Louis business leaders complained that the trip could hurt a potential deal with China to turn Lambert-St. Louis International Airport into a freight hub.
Last month, a delegation of Chinese officials toured Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to determine whether they should establish a trade hub here.
Also last month, a second Chinese test cargo flight landed at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., as part of Metro East leaders' competing efforts to establish a trade hub with China at MidAmerica.
