More Nonstop L.A.-S. America Flights Urged

A group led by state Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) urged the Transportation Department to permit more nonstop flights between Los Angeles and South America as a step toward widening air service between the regions by U.S. carriers. The Assn. for California-Latin American Service said more than 334,000 passengers traveled between Los Angeles and Argentina and Brazil last year, but only 5% of the nonstop flights originated in California--and none involved a U.S. airline. United Airlines, a unit of UAL Corp., recently asked the DOT for permission to start nonstop service from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires and Sao Paolo, Brazil. ACLAS said other U.S. carriers also are vying to provide additional service to Argentina and Brazil from other U.S. cities.