Lobbying for nonstop flights to China, West Africa

Prince George’s County (Map, News) - Patricia Hayes-Parker wants to see a nonstop flight between Washington and Beijing. She travels to China for the county, will help open a Prince George’s trade office in China and carries a business card with her information in Mandarin Chinese.

Last week, the County Council approved sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation to ask for direct Washington-Beijing flights. Has the corporation weighed in on this issue as well?

We have not sent official communication.

It’s not only for China, but I’m also very pleased that there are also more direct flights to Africa, particularly West Africa.

How recently did direct flights to West Africa start?

There was a direct flight, a maiden flight, done in June of this year. … It’s certainly very viable in terms of business sense. Whenever I travel, those flights are certainly always jammed. For Africa, many of the flights had to go up through Paris and then come down and some of those flights were like 19 hours. ... If we can decrease the amount of time it requires for businesses to travel, first of all they may send more of their people to China. They may get more involved.

Which airport should get the China route — Dulles International or Baltimore-Washington International?

It makes sense for our companies if they can fly out of BWI. ... The state of Maryland, I’m sure, has been in a lot of negotiations to get those flights located at BWI. ... We’d like to see more business done in Maryland, of course.

What do you do on a 19-hour flight?

When we take a mission over, we prepare briefing books on the plane. ... We can make sure that the companies know who they are meeting and where ... It’s true work. It’s more relaxing when I’m here.

How do you deal with jet lag?

Some people are able to sleep. I am never able to sleep. Even when I’m traveling alone, I’m up all 19 hours. ... I get about three hours of sleep a day when I’m traveling for work. But, I guess your adrenaline kicks in.

– Erica Jacobson