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On 10 December 2006, Air China started serving its first [[South America]]n destination, [[Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo]] (via [[Madrid]]). This was the airline's longest direct flight. The service began with the [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300]] aircraft, but because of its popularity, the service has since been upgraded to [[Airbus A330|A330-200]].
On 10 December 2006, Air China started serving its first [[South America]]n destination, [[Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo]] (via [[Madrid]]). This was the airline's longest direct flight. The service began with the [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300]] aircraft, but because of its popularity, the service has since been upgraded to [[Airbus A330|A330-200]].


Air China recently introduced its new A330-300 aircraft for long haul operations beginning with services to [[Düsseldorf]], [[Germany]] for the summer 2011 schedule. These aircraft provide the same two-class cabin standard as the A330-200 except that the economy cabin has no seat-back entertainment system installed (with the exception of the first two economy rows which also have increased legroom). Düsseldorf is now the third German destination on the Air China network. The airline will also launch a new Beijing-[[Milan]] service starting 15 June 2011. This service will complement the airline's existing Shanghai Pudong-Milan service. Deliveries of the carrier's 19 new [[777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER]]s will commence in mid-2011, and Air China stated that the aircraft will form the "backbone of its future longhaul operations". The new Boeing 777-300ER will ultimately replace [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747–400]] on routes to U.S. destinations such as [[Los Angeles]], [[New York]], and [[San Francisco]], but it is expected to first enter service on flights to Paris from March 2012. The carrier relaunched services from Beijing to [[Athens]] with a stopover in [[Munich]] using an A330-300 starting 15 May 2011.<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Air-China-Launches-New-Route-prnews-3855251646.html?x=0&.v=1 Air China Launches New Route to Athens, Greece, the City of the Violet Crown - Yahoo! Finance<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> Air China has announced that it will commence a second daily Beijing-Los Angeles service with a Boeing 747-400M, while the existing daily Los Angeles service is to be upgraded to Boeing 747-400. The Boeing 777-300ER will replace both aircraft once sufficient numbers enter the fleet.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/air-china-expands-with-second-daily-nonstop-flight-from-los-angeles-to-beijing-113428719.html Air China Expands With Second Daily Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles to Beijing]</ref> Air China also announced that it will expand its operations in India with a Beijing-Mumbai route to plan to begin in September 2011 while the existing Delhi route is upgraded to A330.<ref>{{cite web|author=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/air-china-expands-india-operations/441131/ |title=Air China expands India operations |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=2011-07-01 |accessdate=2011-10-17}}</ref> The airline announced that it plans to use the Boeing 777-300ER on one of its two daily Beijing-Los Angeles flights beginning 1 February 2012.<ref>http://finance.yahoo.com/news/air-china-b777-300er-set-080000292.html</ref>
Air China recently introduced its new A330-300 aircraft for long haul operations beginning with services to [[Düsseldorf]], [[Germany]] for the summer 2011 schedule. These aircraft provide the same two-class cabin standard as the A330-200 except that the economy cabin has no seat-back entertainment system installed (with the exception of the first two economy rows which also have increased legroom). Düsseldorf is now the third German destination on the Air China network. The airline will also launch a new Beijing-[[Milan]] service starting 15 June 2011. This service will complement the airline's existing Shanghai Pudong-Milan service. Deliveries of the carrier's 19 new [[777-300ER|Boeing 777-300ER]]s will commence in mid-2011, and Air China stated that the aircraft will form the "backbone of its future longhaul operations". The new Boeing 777-300ER will ultimately replace [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747–400]] on routes to U.S. destinations such as [[Los Angeles]], [[New York]], and [[San Francisco]], but it is expected to first enter service on flights to Paris from March 2012. The carrier relaunched services from Beijing to [[Athens]] with a stopover in [[Munich]] using an A330-300 starting 15 May 2011.<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Air-China-Launches-New-Route-prnews-3855251646.html?x=0&.v=1 Air China Launches New Route to Athens, Greece, the City of the Violet Crown - Yahoo! Finance<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> Air China has announced that it will commence a second daily Beijing-Los Angeles service with a Boeing 747-400M, while the existing daily Los Angeles service is to be upgraded to Boeing 747-400. The Boeing 777-300ER will replace both aircraft once sufficient numbers enter the fleet.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/air-china-expands-with-second-daily-nonstop-flight-from-los-angeles-to-beijing-113428719.html Air China Expands With Second Daily Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles to Beijing]</ref> Air China also announced that it will expand its operations in India with a Beijing-Mumbai route to plan to begin in September 2011 while the existing Delhi route is upgraded to A330.<ref>{{cite web|author=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/air-china-expands-india-operations/441131/ |title=Air China expands India operations |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=2011-07-01 |accessdate=2011-10-17}}</ref> The airline announced that it plans to use the Boeing 777-300ER on one of its two daily Beijing-Los Angeles flights beginning 1 February 2012.<ref>http://finance.yahoo.com/news/air-china-b777-300er-set-080000292.html</ref> Beginning late-2012 and in early 2013, the airline plans to replace the New York and San Francisco routes from the currently operated Boeing 747-400 to the Boeing 777-300ER.<ref>http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/air-china-begins-replacing-747s-777s-us-routes-0119</ref>


===Codeshare agreements===
===Codeshare agreements===

Revision as of 04:00, 30 January 2012

Template:Distinguish2

Air China
中国国际航空公司
Zhōngguó Guójì Hángkōng Gōngsī
File:Air China Logo.svg
IATA ICAO Call sign
CA CCA AIR CHINA
Founded1988
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programPhoenix Miles
AllianceStar Alliance
Fleet size285 (+258 orders)excl. Air China Cargo
Destinations185
Parent companyChina National Aviation Corporation
HeadquartersBeijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone
Shunyi District, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Key peopleKong Dong, Chairman
Cai Jianjiang, President
Websiteairchina.com

Air China Limited (SEHK: 753, LSE: AIRC, SSE: 601111) (simplified Chinese: 中国国际航空公司; traditional Chinese: 中國國際航空公司; pinyin: Zhōngguó Guójì Hángkōng Gōngsī; lit. 'China International Airlines Company', abbreviated 国航) is the flag carrier and one of the major airlines of the People's Republic of China. With flight operations from Beijing Capital International Airport, Air China is the world's 10th largest airline by fleet size. The airline ranked behind its main competitors China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines in terms of total passengers carried. However, Air China is the most profitable airline in the world, as well as the world's largest carrier by market value.[1][2] It has its headquarters in Shunyi District, Beijing.

The enterprise logo of Air China consists of an artistic phoenix pattern, the Chinese name of the airline written in calligraphy by former national leader Deng Xiaoping, and “AIR CHINA” in English. The phoenix logo is also the artistic transfiguration of the word “VIP”. Air China is a member of the Star Alliance.

In 2010, Air China carried 60 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 80%. The airline reported a net profit of 12 billion yuan (USD $1.83 billion) in 2010.[3]

History and development

Air China Boeing 747-400
Air China Boeing 747-400
Air China Airbus A321-200
Air China Airbus A340-300
Air China Boeing 737-800

Air China was established on 1 July 1988 as a result of the Chinese government's late 1987 decision to split the operating divisions of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) into six separate airlines: Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, China Northern, China Southwest, and China Northwest.[4] Air China was given chief responsibility for intercontinental flights and took over the CAAC's long haul aircraft (Boeing 747s, 767s, and 707s) and routes.

In January 2001, the former CAAC's ten airlines announced they had agreed on a merger plan,[5] according to which Air China was to acquire China Southwest Airlines. Before the acquisition, Air China was the country's fourth largest domestic airline. The merger created a group with assets of 56 billion yuan (USD $8.63 billion), and a fleet of 118 aircraft.[6] In October 2002, Air China consolidated with the China National Aviation Corporation and China Southwest Airlines.[7]

On 15 December 2004, Air China was successfully listed on the Hong Kong and London Stock Exchanges. The airline also listed its shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 18 August 2006.

In 2006, Air China signed an agreement to join the Star Alliance. It became a member of the alliance on 12 December 2007 alongside Shanghai Airlines.

In July 2009, Air China acquired $19.3 million of shares from its troubled subsidiary Air Macau, lifting its stake in the carrier from 51% to 80.9%.[8] One month later, Air China spent HK$6.3 billion (USD $813 million) to raise its stake in Cathay Pacific from 17.5 percent to 29.99 percent, expanding its presence in Hong Kong.[9]

In April 2010, Air China completed the increase of shareholdings in Shenzhen Airlines and became the controlling shareholder of Shenzhen Airlines, which allowed Air China to further enhance its position in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai and to achieve a more balanced domestic network.[10]

On 2 December 2010, Air China received Spain's highest tourism industry award, the "Plaque for Tourist Merit". Air China was the first foreign airline to receive the award, which is given to organisations and individuals for contributing to the Spanish tourism industry.[11]

On 23 December 2010, Air China became the first Chinese airline to offer combined tickets that include domestic flights and shuttle bus services to nearby cities. The first combined flight-shuttle bus ticket connected Tianjin via shuttle bus with domestic flights passing through Beijing.[12]

On 12 November 2011, Air China announced that they will be offering Wi-Fi internet service on board its aircraft from 15 November 2011, making the first Chinese carrier to offer this service.[13]

Corporate affairs

Air China has its headquarters in Zone A of the Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone in Shunyi District, Beijing.[14]

Destinations

Main article: Air China destinations

Air China's route network extends throughout Asia to the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America from its main hub at Beijing Capital International Airport. It also currently reaches a significant number of Asian, Australian and European destinations from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Some international routes operate from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Kunming Wujiaba International Airport, Nanning Wuxu International Airport and Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

On 10 December 2006, Air China started serving its first South American destination, São Paulo (via Madrid). This was the airline's longest direct flight. The service began with the Boeing 767-300 aircraft, but because of its popularity, the service has since been upgraded to A330-200.

Air China recently introduced its new A330-300 aircraft for long haul operations beginning with services to Düsseldorf, Germany for the summer 2011 schedule. These aircraft provide the same two-class cabin standard as the A330-200 except that the economy cabin has no seat-back entertainment system installed (with the exception of the first two economy rows which also have increased legroom). Düsseldorf is now the third German destination on the Air China network. The airline will also launch a new Beijing-Milan service starting 15 June 2011. This service will complement the airline's existing Shanghai Pudong-Milan service. Deliveries of the carrier's 19 new Boeing 777-300ERs will commence in mid-2011, and Air China stated that the aircraft will form the "backbone of its future longhaul operations". The new Boeing 777-300ER will ultimately replace Boeing 747–400 on routes to U.S. destinations such as Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, but it is expected to first enter service on flights to Paris from March 2012. The carrier relaunched services from Beijing to Athens with a stopover in Munich using an A330-300 starting 15 May 2011.[15] Air China has announced that it will commence a second daily Beijing-Los Angeles service with a Boeing 747-400M, while the existing daily Los Angeles service is to be upgraded to Boeing 747-400. The Boeing 777-300ER will replace both aircraft once sufficient numbers enter the fleet.[16] Air China also announced that it will expand its operations in India with a Beijing-Mumbai route to plan to begin in September 2011 while the existing Delhi route is upgraded to A330.[17] The airline announced that it plans to use the Boeing 777-300ER on one of its two daily Beijing-Los Angeles flights beginning 1 February 2012.[18] Beginning late-2012 and in early 2013, the airline plans to replace the New York and San Francisco routes from the currently operated Boeing 747-400 to the Boeing 777-300ER.[19]

Codeshare agreements

Air China officially joined Star Alliance on 12 December 2007, which greatly expanded the alliance's presence in China. With the alliance's "Under One Roof" initiative, all Star Alliance members have moved their operation to the Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport, Air China's main international hub. Air China has codeshare agreements with the following airlines.[20]

A Star Alliance member airline B OneWorld member airline C SkyTeam member airline

Fleet

As of March 2011, the Air China fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 7.4 years:[25][26][27]

Air China Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
F C Y Total
Airbus A319-100 33 — 0 8 120 128
Airbus A320-200 19 10 8 150 158
Airbus A321-200 33 23 12 173 185
Airbus A330-200 18 10 30 207 237 8 ordered in November 2010
4 12 271 283
Airbus A330-300 6 17 36 275 311 3 leased from AerCap
20 additional firm orders of which first delivered January 2011
Airbus A340-300 6 — 7 28 219 255 To be phased out
Airbus A350-900 — 10 TBA 10 ordered in November 2010
Boeing 737-300 29 — 0 8 120 128
Boeing 737-700 20 —
Boeing 737-800 83 133 159 167
Boeing 747-400 2 — 10 42 292 344 To be phased out
Boeing 747-400M 2 — 24 246 280 To be phased out
Boeing 747-8I — 5 TBA Ordered on 7 March 2011[28]
Boeing 757-200 8 — 0 8 192 200 To be phased out
Boeing 767-300 2 — 10 26 189 225 To be phased out
Boeing 777-200 10 — 0 49 296 345
Boeing 777-300ER 6 13 8 42 263 313 To replace 747-400/400M.
Boeing 787-9 — 15 TBA Deliveries from late 2015 (order was switched from −8 to −9 August 2010)[29]
COMAC C919 — 20
Total 285 258

Retired

Air China Retired Fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired
Bae 146 6 1987 2004
Boeing 737-200 3 1988 1995
Boeing 737-500 1 2003 2008
Boeing 737-600 6 2003 2009
Boeing 747-200 6 1988 2000
Boeing 747SP 5 1988 2000
Boeing 767-200 6 1988 2010

Phoenix Miles

Air China lounge (next to the bamboo) at Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport, the airline's main hub

Phoenix Miles (Chinese: 国航知音; pinyin: guó háng zhī yīn, literally "Best friends of Air China"), is the frequent flyer program of Air China. This is the first frequent flyer program launched in China. It was designed to reward frequent flyers traveling internationally and domestically with Air China and its partner airlines.[30]

Members earn mileages for travel on Air China, its affiliated partner airlines and partner airlines. The companion card may be upgraded to VIP status. There are special redemption rates for VIP members – Gold card members and Platinum card Members.

  • Silver card members (Star Alliance Silver): earn 25% mileage bonus on eligible flights.
  • Gold card members (Star Alliance Gold): earn 25% mileage bonus on eligible flights.
  • Platinum card members (Star Alliance Gold): earn 50% mileage bonus on eligible flights.

Cargo

Main article: Air China Cargo

Incidents and accidents

See also

References

  1. ^ "Air China: Passenger Throughput Up 16% In 2010[dead link]", China Hospitality News. January 17, 2011, retrieved on January 17, 2011.
  2. ^ Air China most profitable airline in the world
  3. ^ Air China 2010 net profit rises to $1.83 billion | ATWOnline
  4. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-03-27. p. 55.
  5. ^ Ng, Eric, "Air China Set to Announce Lead Bank for Listing," South China Morning Post, Bus. Sec., July 16, 2001, p. 4.
  6. ^ Holland, Tom, "China Break-In," Far Eastern Economic Review, October 25, 2001, p. 41.
  7. ^ "Air China plans to buy 15 new planes". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Associated Press. October 30, 2002. Archived from the original on 6 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  8. ^ Air China increases stake in Air Macau to almost 81%, Air Transport Intelligence news, 12.07.2010
  9. ^ Air China to Raise Cathay Pacific Stake to 29.99% (Update2), By Bloomberg News, August 17, 2009
  10. ^ Air China acquires majority stake in Shenzhen Airlines, Air Transport Intelligence news, 22/03/10
  11. ^ Air China Received Top Tourism Award http://www.antaranews.com/en/print/1291378610
  12. ^ Antara News :
  13. ^ http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-105136.html
  14. ^ "Privacy Policy." Air China France. Retrieved on February 5, 2010. "No. 16, A TianZhu Airport Industrial Zone TianZhu West Road"
  15. ^ Air China Launches New Route to Athens, Greece, the City of the Violet Crown - Yahoo! Finance[dead link]
  16. ^ Air China Expands With Second Daily Nonstop Flight From Los Angeles to Beijing
  17. ^ Business Standard (2011-07-01). "Air China expands India operations". Business-standard.com. Retrieved 2011-10-17. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  18. ^ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/air-china-b777-300er-set-080000292.html
  19. ^ http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/air-china-begins-replacing-747s-777s-us-routes-0119
  20. ^ Partnerships[dead link]. Airchina.com.cn. Retrieved on 2010-12-13.
  21. ^ [1][dead link]
  22. ^ "Ethiopian, Air China move forward on codeshare". ATW Online. 2010-12-18. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  23. ^ Air China, EVA Airways to join hands on code sharing services, ChinaKnowledge, Oct. 29, 2010
  24. ^ Air China International. Br.fly-airchina.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-13.
  25. ^ Air China fleet list at planespotters.net
  26. ^ Air China International. Airchina.de. Retrieved on 2010-12-13.
  27. ^ Air China A330-300. SeatPlans.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-13.
  28. ^ "Boeing, Air China Sign Agreement for 747-8 Intercontinentals". Yahoo! Finance. 7 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  29. ^ "Air China switches 15 787-8s order to 787-9s". Flightglobal.com. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  30. ^ "Phoenix Miles Main Page (English)" – about us
  31. ^ youtube1
  32. ^ http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20020415-0
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Profiles

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