New service to Ghana, Nigeria and Kingdom of Bahrain to begin in spring 2010United to add nonstop service between Chicago and Brussels
Nov. 5, 2009 (PR Newswire) --
CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines announced today the airline will inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010, with one daily, same-plane service from Washington to Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria. The airline also will extend its existing daily Washington-Kuwait flight to include Bahrain, and will offer a new non-stop flight between Chicago and Brussels, Belgium. Introduction of all of the new services is subject to government approval.
"Our first-ever non-stop service to Africa will offer customers convenient and comfortable travel opportunities to visit two of the fastest-growing cities in the continent," says Kevin Knight, senior vice president of planning. "In addition, our new services to Bahrain and Brussels will open more international routes to our customers throughout Europe and the Middle East."
The new routes are consistent with the 2010 capacity outlook United provided on its third quarter earnings conference call, and reflect the continuing optimization of United's international network.
Africa
Daily non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Accra, the capital of the west African nation of Ghana, begins on May 2. The flight will continue from Accra to Lagos, Nigeria. The return flight will operate from Lagos to Accra and Washington. The flights, which will be available for sale this fall, will be operated by Boeing 767 aircraft on the following schedule:
Schedule Depart Arrive Start Date
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United 990 Washington to Accra 10:10 p.m. 12:40 p.m.* May 2, 2010
United 990 Accra to Lagos 2:20 p.m. 4:25 p.m. May 3, 2010
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United 991 Lagos to Accra 9:15 p.m. 9:20 p.m. May 3, 2010
United 991 Accra to Washington 11:00 p.m. 6.25 a.m.* May 3, 2010
* indicates next day arrival
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"I am delighted that United Airlines, a global leader in the airline industry, has demonstrated the economic wisdom to expand its routes to include destinations in Africa," said U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois. "African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, registering nearly six percent overall economic growth in 2007, the highest in 20 years.
