[photopress:Shanghai_airlines.jpg,full,alignright]All Nippon Airways, Japan’s second-largest carrier, said it may add Shanghai Airlines to its partnership with Asiana Airlines to expand its network of allied airlines.
President Mineo Yamamoto said at a conference in Tokyo: ‘We are thinking about an alliance between China, South Korea and Japan.’ The cooperation with Shanghai Airlines would start with code shares. An equity tie-up is not planned at present.
All Nippon and Asiana, South Korea’s second-largest carrier, have agreed to buy stakes in each other to cement their ties. Adding a Chinese carrier to the partnership would allow the two airlines to boost their networks.
Shanghai Airlines is seeking further cooperation with All Nippon, including through the Star Alliance. The Shanghai-based carrier is likely to join All Nippon and Asiana in the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline grouping, this year.
Source: Shanghai Daily