US Airways Group Inc, unsuccessful in a hostile bid for Delta Air Lines Inc last month, will seek United States authorization to begin flights to China in 2008.

US Airways will specify what cities it would serve if it wins the nonstop route "in the next couple of weeks," spokeswoman Andrea Rader said on Friday. Delta applied last month to fly nonstop between Atlanta and Shanghai, starting in 2008.

Airlines are seeking routes to China, the world's fastest-growing economy, as international trade expands. Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways, the seventh-largest domestic carrier, asked the US Transportation Department to delay a decision on Delta's application until other contenders can file.

"The hearing next year is for carriers that don't currently serve China," Rader said. "This is the next logical step, for us to be able to serve Asia."

US Airways said it asked federal officials to delay an evaluation of Delta's filing because the Atlanta-based carrier "filed very, very early and we wanted to be sure it didn't just go to Delta," Rader said.

Bill Adams, a Transportation Department spokesman, didn't comment, reported Bloomberg News.

"Delta is eager to compete vigorously," Betsy Talton, a Delta spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. "Our proposal to bring the first-ever China service to the southeastern United States is superior to any other proposal."

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