Germany's national carrier Lufthansa Airlines opened its first China customer service and support centre in Shanghai yesterday in a further commitment to the Chinese market.

"We have a growing but stable business in China, which needs such a center to cater for the increasing demands of passengers," said Don Bunkenburg, general manager of Lufthansa Airlines Eastern China.

The centre is the ninth in a worldwide network of Lufthansa service centers, with others located in Germany, Canada, South Africa, the United States, Ireland, Australia and Turkey.

"The fact that we have opened our first Asian customer service and support center in Shanghai is proof of our long-term commitment to China," said Uwe Muller, vice-president of Lufthansa Airlines Asia-Pacific.

"We are very optimistic about the future of the aviation industry in China and we are very happy to be a growing participant in this market."

The carrier currently operates 41 flights a week between Europe and China, more than any other European airline. Bunkenburg said the new center is just part of the overall investment Lufthansa Group is making in China.

The group contributes to China's aviation industry through a number of investments and operations such as logistics, catering and aircraft maintenance.

"China represents a huge opportunity for the group, and Lufthansa is continuing to monitor the country closely for possible further expansion of its operations," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2005)