Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan said on Wednesday that Chinese
airlines should seize the opportunities of joining international
alliances to improve their management and service.
Zeng made the remarks at a ceremony to mark the affiliation of
Air China and Shanghai Airlines with the Star Alliance, the oldest
and largest airline alliance in the world.
Zeng hoped Chinese airlines would sharpen their competitive edge
in the global market and offer better service to more customers by
joining international airline alliances.
He said the move would help the Chinese airlines to upgrade
their management and service quality in accordance with
international standards, which, in turn, would benefit passengers
both at home and abroad.
Thanks to decades of steady economic development, China's air
transport market was enjoying the fastest growth on the planet. The
total transport turnover of Chinese airlines was the second in the
world, he said.
The ceremony was held in the new Terminal Three, which will open
to passengers in March 2008, at the Beijing Capital International
Airport.
With the two new members, Star Alliance has 19 member carriers
operating 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160
countries.
Air China and Shanghai Airlines alone have added more than 40
new domestic destinations to the network.
Air China Chairman Li Jiaxiang said, "By becoming a member, Air
China is set to undergo many years of strategic cooperation with a
large group of the world's leading airlines."
Shanghai Airlines chairman Zhou Chi said they were very excited
since "Shanghai Airlines can reach more places around the world and
deliver higher quality services and more rewards to its
customers."
Terminal Two in Shanghai Pudong Airport will also open in March
2008 and permit all Star Alliance members to operate from the new
terminal.
China Southern Airlines (China Southern) was the first Chinese
airline to join an international air service alliance earlier this
year with its affiliation to the Sky Team Alliance.
(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2007)
