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Is China going to be the next open skies market for the airlines?  It might be looking like the skies will be more open but not a complete open skies agreement is order.  A new agreement announced last week, doubles the number of flights between the United States and China over the next five years. 

This means that large cities like Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, and various other cities will be more likely to receive flights from China in the near future. 

Under the accord, U.S. airlines will be able to operate a total of 23 round-trip flights a day to China by 2012, up from 10. Chinese carriers can offer the same number of flights to the United States. Currently Chinese airlines have not been using their total limit, something that will more than likely be changing.

China has been rapidly growing and becoming a destination for US business and travelers.  Denver is one city that is likely to benefit from this new accord.  However, United Airlines is not likely to fly the route, but rather Air China who will become a member of the Star Alliance in the near future.   

Routes to China from the US are highly prized.  Delta and US Airways have expressed interest in starting services to China when the next round of bids start this year.  Another route will be given to an airline that does not currently have services to China in 2009 too.    

What US city would be a good departure city to China? 

Chicago Tribune