"FedEx has long supported the liberalization of the global air industry," Lauer said. "We believe a more open aviation regimen will lead to lower costs, more flexible and efficient services, commercial activity and growth and development. We support it especially in the China market."

The courier broke ground last year on a $150 million hub in southern China at the Biyun International Airport in Guangzhou.

The framework "open skies" agreement would be discussed at a May meeting in Washington at a high-level U.S.-China dialogue on trade relations, Peters said.

Peters was due to meet with the director of China's air regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and other officials.

Despite strong demand, there are an average of only 11 daily nonstop flights between China and the United States, Peters said. By comparison, she said, there are 55 daily flights between the United States and Germany, with which Washington has an "open skies" deal.

"Both senior Chinese officials as well as senior American officials have indicated that a liberalized aviation agreement is something that we want to accomplish in the short term," she said.