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Live video from the news conference will appear in the player above. The news conference is expected to begin at about 11:30 a.m.

City leaders from around North Texas met with leadership from American Airlines and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Wednesday as the airline announced they will offer new destinations to Asia.

Alongside Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and DFW Airport chairman Robert Hsueh, AMR chairman Tom Horton said the airline will fly nonstop Shanghai and Hong Kong beginning next summer.

“Today's news underscores our commitment to strengthen American's global network in the most important markets around the world,” said Tom Horton, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines. “This is just another example of how we're taking a fresh look at everything we do to provide what our customers value most -- from new planes, products and services, to new destinations around the world. Simply put, we’re building an even stronger foundation to succeed in our pending merger with US Airways.”

The nonstop flights will ferry passengers between DFW and Hong Kong International (HKG) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). The Hong Kong flights will utilize Boeing 777-300ER aircraft while the Shanghai flights will be flown using 777-200 aircraft.

“We’ve been working hard on building our international relationships, and our work continues to pay off for North Texas,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Today’s news is great for the Metroplex and a landmark development for the state of Texas, whose residents will have direct access to Hong Kong and Shanghai for the first time in our history. The Asian market is ripe for Texas business and tourists alike.”

“These new routes will represent more than $360 million in annual economic impact for our region and launch Dallas and Fort Worth into a new dimension of international business and cultural engagement," said Rawlings.