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)