Air China Ltd and Virgin Atlantic Airways have reached a
codeshare agreement to expand the coverage of both carriers into
and out of China, the companies said in a joint statement
yesterday.
Beijing-based Air China, the nation's flagship carrier, will
codeshare on Virgin Atlantic's daily services between London
Heathrow and Shanghai starting on July 1.
Virgin Atlantic will put its code on Air China's daily services
between Beijing and London Heathrow at the same time, the carriers
said.
Tickets will go on sale starting on April 15.
The codeshare cooperation will help Air China consolidate its
networks in Shanghai, where it doesn't have direct links to London,
and allow the UK carrier to tap the Beijing-London route, industry
officials said.
In addition, the airlines worked out a frequent-flyer miles deal
that allows clients of either carrier to earn credit when they
travel with the codeshare partner.
"The cooperation with Virgin Atlantic is one of the important
steps Air China is taking to fulfill its strong commitment to
provide passenger-oriented services," said Cai Jianjiang, the
carrier's executive vice president.
Meanwhile, Air China's service between Beijing and London
Heathrow will be increased from five to seven a week.
Virgin Atlantic was the first UK airlines to offer direct
flights between London and Shanghai in 1999 and has flown about
400,000 passengers on the route since then.
(Shanghai Daily April 1, 2006)