Northwest Airlines Launches Nonstop Service to Shanghai from Detroit, Establishing Gateway to China and Asia

Strategic Insights -

Nonstop passenger service from a major U.S. market east of the Mississippi River to Shanghai has begun, marking a significant milestone in the history of Northwest Airlines. The departure of a 747-400 from Detroit Metro Airport yesterday inaugurates twice-weekly nonstop flights to Shanghai, cutting the flight time to the city by five hours for more than half of the United States. This expansion reinforces Detroit's position as a key gateway to China and Asia for the eastern and southeastern United States, with Shanghai emerging as a major aviation market.

Key Takeaways:

  • Northwest Airlines' nonstop service from Detroit to Shanghai marks the first time nonstop passenger service has been offered to China's financial and industrial capital from a major U.S. market east of the Mississippi River.
  • The flight cuts the travel time to Shanghai by five hours for more than half of the United States.
  • Northwest Airlines Cargo has been operating dedicated 747 freighters on the Detroit-Shanghai route twice weekly since November 1999, and the airline now operates 15 weekly flights to Beijing and Shanghai.
  • The nonstop passenger service will facilitate increased trade between the U.S. and China, with Michigan officials predicting an era of significant trade growth that will benefit both cities and surrounding regions.
  • Northwest Airlines has applied for two more U.S.-Shanghai cargo frequencies and three more Beijing and Shanghai passenger frequencies for service beginning in April 2001.
  • The airline is part of a developing coalition of U.S. companies exploring ways to increase tourism between the two countries, with an expected 250,000 tourists traveling between the countries this year.
  • Northwest has a well-developed code-sharing partnership with Air China, operating codeshare flights on four different routes, including Detroit to Beijing and Shanghai.
  • Northwest Airlines serves more than 750 cities in 120 countries on 6 continents, with a daily flight schedule of over 1,700 departures from its hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo, and Amsterdam.

Statistics:

  • The flight from Detroit to Shanghai cuts the travel time by five hours.
  • Northwest Airlines operates 15 weekly flights to Beijing and Shanghai, including nonstop and one-stop service.
  • The airline's cargo freighters have been operating at 100% capacity during peak season, with an average of 95% capacity since then.
  • U.S. corporations with production facilities in Shanghai include General Motors, IBM, Motorola, Texas Instruments, Hewlett Packard, and AT&T.
  • The number of firms with commercial ties to Shanghai is expected to grow.

Sources:

  • [PRNewswire]
  • Northwest Airlines press release, April 5, 2000
  • Northwest Airlines' website, nwa.com (archive)
  • InsideFlyer Magazine, various issues (1999)
  • Air Transport World, various issues (1997, 1999, 2000)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation statistics, compiled by Air Transport World (1990-1999)