Northwest Airlines, an American airline with extensive global network, has filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation for new authority to expand its service to China by establishing a new route to Shanghai, said the company in a statement. The airline is asking government approval to provide daily, nonstop service between Detroit and Shanghai. "Detroit to Shanghai nonstop service is Northwest's top international route priority,” said Phil Haan, Northwest executive vice president of international and alliances. He added the new route will provide important new benefits for many cities in the Eastern U.S. that lack convenient and competitive service to China.