United Airlines Cargo Division announced the launch of three major new international routes, providing customers more shipping options on direct flights to Osaka, Buenos Aires and Zurich.

New flights include daily nonstop service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Osaka, Japan (KIX) and between Washington/Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH), effective June 10, 2004. By the end of October, United will also add daily nonstop service from Chicago (ORD) to Buenos Aires (EZE).

"This represents a significant strategic advance for United as we expand our international leadership and focus our resources on growing and competing from a position of strength in our hubs," said John Tague, United's Executive Vice President - Customer. "United's hub structure is unrivaled, and we will continue to leverage these premier assets to broaden United's presence, particularly in international markets. These changes will also have a significant positive impact on the company's profitability."

Flights between Chicago and Osaka will be served by Boeing 777 aircraft.

Flights between Chicago and Buenos Aires and between Dulles and Zurich will be served by Boeing 767 aircraft.

United also said that, effective May 1, it would eliminate two non-hub international flights: daily Boeing 767 service from Miami to Buenos Aires, and daily Boeing 767 service from Miami to Sao Paulo. United will continue to serve Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo from its hubs at Washington/Dulles and Chicago.

United and United Express operate more than 3,300 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe.