The U.S. Department of Transportation finalized its decision to award four airlines rights for 2009 passenger services to China

. American Airlines plans to operate Chicago-Beijing service, Continental Airlines intends to fly between Newark and Shanghai, Northwest Airlines will offer Detroit-Shanghai service and US Airways will serve Philadelphia-Beijing. DOT previously approved new China flights for 2008, including Delta Air Lines' Atlanta-Shanghai service and United Airlines' San Francisco-Guangzhou service.