United Airlines building dream bridges between China, US

Walter Dias, managing director of Greater China and South Korea for United Airlines, the largest United States carrier in China by traffic, said working in "a fascinating place" like China has been a privilege, given the fast growth.


The Chicago-headquartered United has been in the China market for 30 years. The airline will soon increase its non-stop flights between second-tiered Chinese cities and the US.


It started seasonal non-stop flights from Xi'an to San Francisco on May 10 and will run the service through Oct 29, in addition to its non-stop flight from Hangzhou to San Francisco, which will start from July 15.


"When I wake up every morning, I'd think, 'Wow, it's great to be able to involve in the China market'. I've been working in China for the past 12 years, and I have the privilege to meet great people every day in my job," he said.


Dias, a United veteran, has risen through the ranks over the past 30 years of his airline career. He helped set up United's Hong Kong office, where he is currently based. For the past two decades, he has been responsible for the Asia market.


A native American, Dias began his career at an oil company and then moved to accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. In 1987, he joined the finance department of Continental for a consulting job. Since then, he has held various leadership positions in the aviation industry in Japan, South Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Australia and Southeast Asia.


During the interview in Beijing, the amiable executive looks buffed in his dark suit and blue tie, oozing class and elegance that seem to put his natural fun-loving streak on a not-so-tight leash.


"Working in the aviation industry is fun. I've always enjoyed geography, traveling and meeting people. This job has been a natural attraction to me."


The article transsshipment from China Daily