The union representing American Airlines Inc. pilots has warned management that the airline may not get the union's OK to fly a coveted China route if the company doesn't reward pilots in return.

The Allied Pilots Association "has informed management that when the pilots see some immediate improvements to our contract, we will enthusiastically support new long-haul flying," APA's national leadership said in a message sent to members.

An American spokesman declined to comment Friday on the union's position. A union spokesman said the union expects to present a proposal to management soon.

The flights would exceed the maximum time on duty permitted in the pilots' contract and would require the union to make an exception, as it did last year when American began flying between Chicago and New Delhi.

American, which wants to fly between Dallas/Fort Worth and Beijing is competing against applications from United Airlines Inc., Continental Airlines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Inc. for new routes between the United States and China.

Earlier this week, Northwest and United issued news releases saying that their labor groups backed their applications and that they had no contractual issues barring the operation of their new service.