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About Air China After going public in 2004, Air China has rapidly reformed through changed working and management practices. Profitable in 2004 Air China was also made a profit in 2005 with total turnover of 7.44 billion tonne kilometres [ up 10.2% ] Passenger transportation volume increased to 27.695 million [ up 13 percent ] Profit after tax was 2.406 billion RMB [ up 0.85 percent compared with the same period last year ]. Facing new domestic and international competition, Air China set up four strategic objectives: "to be recognised by premium passengers, achieve best profits, to be a valuable airline of China and an airline with global competitive strength." Air China has a fleet of 176 aircraft, mainly Boeing and Airbus. It operates up to 70 domestic and 36 international destinations in 22 countries and regions. It flies around 4160 flights per week. Through code shares with 18 domestic and international airlines, Air China operates 1210 code share flights. Benefits of Joining Star Alliance Facing more and more severe competition after the open skies policy was introduced, Air China decided to join Star Alliance to further expand its route network and enhance international competitiveness. Joining Star Alliance will enable Air China to accelerate establishment of its Beijing hub and improve flight connections with Star Alliance partners through the hub. Air China will work with the Star Alliance's strong sales network and its joint purchasing programs. Both will benefit Air China. Chinese domestic passengers will be able to purchase a ticket flying to any destination operated by any alliance member airline. Members of Star Alliance carrier Frequent Flyer Programs (FFP) will be able to collect and redeem miles, kilometres or points on any member carrier. Star Alliance Gold members received alliance-wide benefits, such as for example dedicated check-in counters and priority wait listing. Star Alliance customers have access to 660 airport lounges. Check-in, joint ticketing and baggage facilities, collocation and connection teams at key airports all play a role in creating a smoother travel experience. Star Alliance carriers can offer passengers a variety of air passes and special fares including a Round the World Fare, Circle Asia Fare, Circle Pacific Fare and the African, Asian, Brazilian, European, Japan, North American, South Pacific and Thailand Air passes. Now 52 years old Air China has a strong management. Since going public Air China has undergone internal reform, including changes in its corporate organisation and culture. Taking advantage of the strength of Air China in the domestic market, Star Alliance member airlines will closely connect the alliance's international network with China, one of the biggest potential markets. About Star Alliance Star Alliance is a global airline network which was established by five airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, THAI and United on May 14, 1997. Cooperation between Air China and existing Star Alliance member carriers: Air China currently has code-share relationships with the following Star Alliance member carriers: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Lufthansa, SAS, United and VARIG. Cooperation between ANA - Air China ANA began code-sharing with Air China on flights between Japan and China in March 2004. At the same time, the two airlines also instigated mutual recognition of their Frequent Flyer Programmes. This very successful co-operation agreement soon expanded from 102 weekly jointly operated flights to the present 185. Air China's decision to join the Star Alliance family is warmly welcomed by ANA, as it will add a new dimension to an already strong relationship, and further cement the partnership between two Asian neighbours. Cooperation between Austrian Airlines - Air China Austrian Airlines and Air China started their cooperation in form of a code-share/blocked space agreement in January 1996 on the Vienna - Beijing v.v. route. Upon resumption of the Vienna-Shanghai vv. flights in summer 2004, this route was equally included in the cooperation agreement with Air China, thus enabling connections on to the extensive domestic network of Air China within China on one hand and the extensive network of Austrian Airlines via the Vienna hub to Central, Eastern and Western Europe. Cooperation between Lufthansa - Air China Code Share Cooperation: Air China and Lufthansa started code share cooperation on Oct 29, 2000. Considerable advancement has been made in that time. Sino-German Trunk Route Code Sharing: Currently the total code share capacity of Air China and Lufthansa is 49 flights per week of which 18 flights are operated by Air China and 31 flights by Lufthansa. Domestic points code sharing: Air China has code shares with Lufthansa on nine points in Germany including Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Lufthansa puts its code on Air China's flights to the following cities in China: Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Xiamen and Wenzhou. In April of 2005, Air China started a third country code share with Lufthansa to Sao Paulo in Brazil, Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao in Spain. At the same day, Air China opened it route from China to Brazil and Spain through code share. Frequent Flyer Program Co-operation: FFP members of both airlines can collect and redeem miles on any airline's flight. Through Check-in: Through Check-in service provides passengers with efficient and convenient transfer. Product and Service consistency: The consistent product and services provided by both airlines can further improve the passenger service quality and bring passengers with premium services. About Ameco Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation (Ameco Beijing), located at Beijing Capital International Airport, is a joint venture between Air China Limited and Lufthansa. Ameco Beijing was established on August 1st, 1989. It is not only the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider in China but also the first aircraft maintenance and engineering company in China with certificates from FAA, EASA, CAAC and 12 other airworthiness authorities. Ameco has the ability to provide domestic and international customers with Boeing and Airbus aircraft line maintenance, overhaul and engine overhaul services. Cooperation between United - Air China Having started service to China in 1986, United Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to launch non-stop services between China and the U.S. United Airlines is currently the largest carrier between China and the U.S. 2006 will be the 20th anniversary of United Airlines serving China. Ends |
Hanover, Leipzig, Nuremberg, Stuttgart. Third country code sharing points include Sao Paulo in Brazil, Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao in Spain.