The Clark County Commission is to discuss a $360,000 consulting contract aimed to set up direct passenger flights between Las Vegas and China. The Clark County Aviation Department will ask commission members to approve a two-year deal with Garfinkle, Crowell & Wang Associates, also known as GCW Consulting.

According to Casinocitytimes.com, Rosemary Vassiliadis, a deputy aviation director of Clark County, believes GCW will provide necessary expertise to help Las Vegas develop the project and handle the complicated mutual agreements that govern air traffic between China and outside nations.

“The China bilaterals are very restrictive, but this company has been around a long time and is very, very familiar with China. They’ve had many dealings with the Chinese government, and that’s really the key to dealing with these aviation issues,” Vassiliadis said.

According to the agreements, GCW will be vested in identifying prospective airlines enabling to establish Las Vegas-China routes, in providing sales presentations to such carriers, and in fostering relationships between Nevada leaders and Chinese air representatives.

Another company to help incarnate the plans is Harry Kassap, which is involved in developing new aviation markets for such companies as McCarran International Airport. It is to arrange closer ties with Asia, the Middle East and Persian Gulf region. GCW has worked closely with Chinese Civil Aviation Administration to update the business practices of Chinese carriers and to implement code share agreements.

Las Vegas has been without direct air service to China since Singapore Airlines closed its thrice-weekly round-trip service via Hong Kong in April 2003. But Asian gaming industry was very interesting for many Las Vegas operators like Las Vegas Sands Inc., Wynn Resorts and MGM Mirage, which assisted local officials in developing bilateral business with Chinese market.

American officials claimed that the Chinese tourism, which is limited by visa requirements, would be liberalized. Vassiliadis said Kassap has already met with several Chinese carriers to discuss Las Vegas service but it’s high time to make some conclusions.