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AIR CHINA IS SET TO BECOME A STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER AIRLINE
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Air China and the Star Alliance have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding confirming an invitation for Air China to join the alliance.
Commenting on the event, Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO said: “With
Air China having chosen to join Star Alliance, we have now taken the
decisive step in implementing our strategy for the Chinese market. This
decision truly lays the foundation for the future pace in Chinese Aviation.”
Attending the event was the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany,
Dr. Angela Merkel, who is on her first visit to China; German Federal
Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee;
Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of
China.
Mr Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company, Mr. Ma
Xulun, President of Air China Limited, Mr. Jaan Albrecht, CEO of Star
Alliance and several CEOs of the Star Alliance member carriers were also
present at the ceremony together with 150 distinguished guests.
Mr Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company and
Chairman of Air China Limited, said in his speech: “With economic
globalisation and open skies, the competition in the airline industry will
become more and more severe. No one airline can create a global network by
itself. In order to survive and develop, airlines have to cooperate with
other partners in various forms including multilateral alliance
cooperation.”
“Cooperation between Air China and Star Alliance will be mutually
beneficial. Currently, China is one of the fastest growing civil aviation
markets with great potential. Through cooperation with Air China, Star
Alliance will connect its international route network with China through Air
China’s extensive domestic network and extend its global route network. The
travelling public will have access to more convenient services, savings made
and efficiency improved,” Mr Li said.
The Star Alliance network recently also extended an invitation to Shanghai
Airlines to join the alliance. This dual-hub approach will allow the
alliance to offer a unique network from the two most important airports in
China.
Once both Air China and Shanghai Airlines will have become full members of
the alliance, the Star Alliance network will grow to 20 members, offering
more than 16,500 daily fights to 912 destinations in 160 countries.
23rd May 2006
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