[photopress:air_shanghai_airlines_1.jpg,full,alignright]Shanghai Airlines is considering an order for Airbus A330 medium-range aircraft as it speeds up the expansion of its international network.
Zhou Chi, chairman of Shanghai Airlines said the company is looking to buy 10 single-aisle A320 aircraft. He said the company is also considering buying A330 aircraft, but has yet to decide the size of the order, adding that the wide-body planes could be used to reinforce its flights to neighbouring markets.
Shanghai Airlines, which had earlier placed an order for nine of Boeing’s 787 or Dreamliner, is also scheduled to launch daily flights to the United States and the German city of Hamburg next year.
But the plan may be postponed because of the delayed delivery of the Boeing aircraft.
President Fan Hongxi said Shanghai Airlines has now joined Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline grouping. It plans to expand its international network on its own or via code-sharing with other members of the alliance.
He said international flights now make up less than 10% of the airline’s sales and the airline hopes to raise that ratio to roughly 30% in five years, adding that Star Alliance membership would be a big help.
Sales of the Shanghai-based carrier, which operates a fleet of 59 aircraft, rose 23% to US$1.2 billion from January to September.
Source: China Daily and Cargo News Asia
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