NEW YORK-
Continental Airlines Inc. went on the offensive Thursday, hoping to win support for its proposed nonstop service betwen Newark, N.J., and Shanghai.
The carrier is jousting with American Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines to win government permission for the new service. Each hopes to link China's booming economy with one of its U.S. hubs, such as Washington, Dallas and Detroit.
Continental held a news conference in New York's Chinatown, asking its supporters to lobby the Department of Transportation. The carrier said its proposed route connects much larger markets than competitors' proposals. It also argued the New York area has a larger Chinese-American population than the other proposed cities.
Last month, American Airlines launched a Web site to build traveler support for its own bid to operate nonstop service to Beijing from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport next spring.
Shares of Continental rose 61 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $25.47 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
