Air China to launch direct Beijing-Houston flight  

国航30年后首开赴美新航线 北京7月直通休斯敦

全球市值最高的航空公司——中国国际航空公司在此间15日宣布，将于2013年7月11日开通中国首都北京至美国第四大城市休斯敦的直达客运航班。国航和休斯敦机场管理局当天在休斯敦市联合召开新闻发布会称，新航线的开通将使休斯敦成为美国中南部前往中国的第一门户。

Houston (CNS) -- Air China, one of the country's major airlines, will launch direct flights from Beijing to Houston on July 11 this year, a company spokesman said Tuesday.

Chi Zhihang, Air China's general manager for North America, made the remarks at a joint press conference with the Houston Airport System. Air China will make the approximately 14-hour flight four times a week on a new generation Boeing 777-300ER, he said.

Chi said that Houston, with its vibrant business community and fast-growing, diverse population, is a perfect choice for an additional gateway for Air China. It offers the most convenient connections to China for our passengers from Texas and other neighboring states, he added.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker welcomed the news, saying "This new direct route to China will ensure our success in growing the Texas regional economy and strengthen the global ties to our trade partners in China."

Houston will become the airline's fourth destination in the U.S. following New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.