Another airline to link Seattle, Beijing

Northwest Airlines said Thursday that it would offer daily nonstop service between Seattle and Beijing starting in March.

The flight will be the 15th nonstop route linking Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and a non-Canadian international destination.

In December, Northwest announced a new daily, nonstop flight between Seattle and London -- the fifth international route added in the past 14 months.

"We keep having these, by the way, and they get no less happy," said Gov. Chris Gregoire during a news conference announcing the new route at Port of Seattle headquarters on Pier 69.

China is the state's largest export market, Gregoire said. Last year, exports to China from the state jumped by 40 percent.

"Northwest Airlines' new flight will greatly expand our ability to increase trade, tourism, education and cultural exchange with China, bringing new jobs and economic development to our state," Gregoire said in a news release.

When the new route begins service, two airlines will be flying between Beijing and Seattle. Hainan Airlines, China's largest privately owned carrier, plans to start nonstop flights between Seattle and Beijing four times a week starting on June 9.

Northwest Airlines will use an A330 aircraft on the route.