Stewards from the former Air China, China Southwest Airlines and Zhejiang Airlines - which merged into the Air China Group in November - will gradually be introduced wearing the new uniforms in the first half of next year.

"This visual signal will tell our passengers clearly that our services have been formally combined," said Li Jiaxiang, the president of the group.

The new uniform, by French designer Olivier Lapidus, topped a public bidding process from more than 20 competitors earlier this year. President Jiang Zemin praised the design when Air China stewards wore the new outfits while taking part in a State function earlier this year.

"My idea came from the blue and red colour of Chinese potteries in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). You can see similar colours in the new uniforms," Lapidus said.

He said the simple colour emphasized a pure feeling and would make people relax, while the fluent body line accentuated the elegant shapes of Chinese women.

"I hope people can find the unique inner beauty of oriental women from my design," he said.

Lapidus said the clothes would also be appreciated by the cabin crews for their comfort.

Two costume companies, the Yi Mian Group and Sunshine Group, will produce the female and male outfits respectively.

In line with the facelift, the Air China Group will also use the air carrier code CA for its subordinate airlines.

From the start of the new year, the former China Southwestern Airlines and Zhejiang Airlines will use the code CA to replace SZ and F.

The planes from the two airlines will also gradually replace their symbols with Air China's Phoenix design.

Passengers who brought tickets to travel with the now defunct carriers after January 1 can use them or exchange them for a similar Air China ticket at their local ticket agents.

Air China will take over all the legal duties of the two companies after January 1.

Li said the Air China Group will operate 2,472 flights weekly along 309 routes from the start of 2003, which is double the business of the former Air China.

(China Daily December 27, 2002)