American Airlines says it will start new international routes next year, seeking to capitalize on growth in international travel, especially among high-fare corporate travelers.

Fort Worth-based American, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, said Wednesday that the new flights were part of its plan to increase international service to its five major U.S. hubs.

American, which is owned by AMR Corp., says it will begin selling tickets for the new flights on Nov. 4.

The new international routes:

• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Lima, Peru, beginning April 2. American already flies between Miami and Lima.
• DFW to Seoul, beginning May 9.
• Chicago to Dusseldorf, Germany, starting April 11.
• New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Dublin, starting June 12.

American will also add domestic flights using regional jets that are smaller than the planes typically operated by American. Those routes, starting Feb. 14, will include:

• DFW and Chicago's O'Hare Airport to Columbia, Mo.
• DFW to Beaumont, Texas.
• DFW to Fargo, N.D. American currently flies to Fargo from O'Hare.

"This announcement from our partners at American Airlines is great news for all DFW Airport passengers and citizens of Dallas/Fort Worth," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport.  "We are seeing increasing interest for international service to the growing economies in South America and Asia, and we are pleased to see American Airlines meet that demand by investing more into their DFW hub."

The new service to Lima is the 13th new international destination added at DFW  over the last two years.  DFW now offers travel to 49 international destinations, 43 of which are served by American Airlines or American Eagle.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

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