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China Eastern to join SkyTeam

Direct News Source

16-Apr-2010 China Eastern Airlines today announced its intention to join the SkyTeam Airline Alliance.

During an official ceremony in Shanghai, China Eastern President and Chief Executive Officer Ma Xulun joined the CEOs of SkyTeam member airlines to sign a Memorandum of Understanding confirming China Eastern's plans to join the SkyTeam Alliance by mid-2011. With China Eastern as a partner, SkyTeam passengers will benefit from improved access to SkyTeam's extensive Chinese domestic network.

China Eastern, headquartered in Shanghai, is situated in the most economically developed region and the fastest growing city of China. The signing ceremony took place at the Xijiao State Guest House in Shanghai, witnessed by Chairman Liu Shaoyong of China Eastern, Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board Leo van Wijk and Managing Director of SkyTeam Marie-Joseph Malé. Among other witnesses were the Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government and representatives of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).

"Today, China Eastern has taken an important step towards its future growth and the SkyTeam members are honored to be part of this journey," said Leo van Wijk. "I cannot emphasize the importance of China's position in the global economy enough and increasing our network presence in this rapidly growing and dynamic part of the world will bring more benefits to both our members and customers. In our 10th anniversary year, the commitment shown by China Eastern will further strengthen SkyTeam's position as a leading alliance for the future."

"Joining an international airline alliance is China Eastern Airlines' strategic deployment to continuously strengthen core profitability and boost market competitiveness," said Mr. Liu. "For China Eastern Airlines, joining SkyTeam is the just way leading to a globalized market, which will provide wider space for growth. It offers rare opportunities to absorb successful experiences and realize great-leap-forward developments. It provides ideal chances to raise management level, improve operation quality and accelerate the application of information technology.