BEIJING – Air China Limited and Shanghai Airlines formally joined Star Alliance today at a ceremony held in the new Terminal Three at Beijing Capital International Airport.
With the addition of the two Chinese airlines, Star Alliance now has 19 member carriers operating 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160 countries. On domestic routes alone, Air China and Shanghai Airlines have added more than 40 new destinations to the Star Alliance network.
In order to provide better interconnectivity between international flights and domestic destinations in China, Air China, Shanghai Airlines and the other Star Alliance member carriers serving China, are currently working on improving the two main hub airports in Beijing and Shanghai-Pudong.
In Beijing, Terminal 3 is scheduled to open in March 2008 and will be the new home for all Star Alliance member carriers serving the Chinese Capital. At Shanghai-Pudong, Terminal 2 will also open in March 2008 and will permit all Star Alliance member airlines with flights to thriving metropolis to operate from the same terminal.