Air China Limited to become a Star Alliance Member Carrier

Beijing, China - May 22nd, 2006 - Air China Limited ("Air China") and
the Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth(TM), today signed a
Memorandum of Understanding confirming an invitation for Air China to
join the alliance.

Commenting on today's event, Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO said:
"With Air China having chosen to join Star Alliance, we have now
taken the decisive step in implementing our strategy for the Chinese
market. This decision truly lays the foundation for the future pace
in Chinese Aviation."

Attending the event was the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of
Germany, Dr. Angela Merkel, who is on her first visit to China;
German Federal Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs,
Wolfgang Tiefensee; Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the General
Administration of Civil Aviation of China.
Mr. Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company,
Mr. Ma Xulun, President of Air China Limited, Mr. Jaan Albrecht, CEO
of Star Alliance and several CEOs of the Star Alliance member
carriers were also present at the ceremony together with 150
distinguished guests.

Mr. Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company
and Chairman of Air China Limited, said in his speech: "With economic
globalisation and open skies, the competition in the airline industry
will become more and more severe. No one airline can create a global
network by itself. In order to survive and develop, airlines have to
cooperate with other partners in various forms including multilateral
alliance cooperation."

"Cooperation between Air China and Star Alliance will be mutually
beneficial. Currently, China is one of the fastest growing civil
aviation markets with great potential. Through cooperation with Air
China, Star Alliance will connect its international route network
with China through Air China's extensive domestic network and extend
its global route network. The travelling public will have access to
more convenient services, savings made and efficiency improved," Mr.
Li said.

The Star Alliance network recently also extended an invitation to
Shanghai Airlines to join the alliance. This dual-hub approach will
allow the alliance to offer a unique network from the two most
important airports in China.

Once both Air China and Shanghai Airlines will have become full
members of the alliance, the Star Alliance network will grow to 20
members, offering more than 16,500 daily fights to 912 destinations
in 160 countries.

Ends


Contact:

Star Alliance Press Office
Tel: + 49 6996375 183
Fax: + 49 6996375 683
Email: mediarelations@staralliance.com
www.staralliance.com

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:
View document

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