Airline alliance formed in Sichuan

Shandong Airlines has formed a joint venture with Sichuan Airlines and three other partners, including China Southern and Shanghai Airlines, Reuters reported. The new venture, called Sichuan Airlines Corp, takes over the 13 aircraft and 50 routes operated by Sichuan Airlines. Analysts said that its formation strengthened co-operation between the partner airlines and could lead to a merger of Shandong Airlines and Shanghai Airlines with China Southern.