Continental Airlines plans to offer services between China and the US by the end of this year or 2005 if finalized by government negotiators.

Continental Airlines’ country director for Hong Kong and China, Mr. Kenneth Yeung, said: “progress is encouraging”, without divulging details. There may be some news in October.

“China is a tremendous market that we are interested in going after. We’re allowed to provide travel information, but we can’t do ticketing and sales. This depends on the bilateral agreement,' Mr Yeung said.

Code sharing with China Southern and Hong Kong’s Dragonair was a possibility, he added.

(CNTA June 16, 2004)