Worlds Fastest Growing Airline To Launch 10 New International Routes;
Guangzhou To Serve As Hub In Major Airline Expansion
GUANGZHOU, China, February 14, 2007 - China Southern Airlines, (NYSE: ZNH, HKSE:1055, SHA: 600029) - www.csair.com/en - the worlds 10th largest airline - ?is please to announce a major International airline expansion during 2007.
Slated to open in 2007 are all new air routes to eight Asian nations including Cambodia, India, Japan, Laos, United Arab Emirates as well as Nigeria and Angola with cities including: Dubai, Luanda, New Delhi, Phuket, Sendai, Sapporo, Siem Reap, Vientiane and Yangon.
The new International expansion is a major step in China Southerns construction in building Guangzhou as a major global business and logistic air center.
At a Guangzhou news conference today, Mr. Si Xian Min, President, China Southern Airlines, said, This announcement marks the first time for China Southern to announce this major International expansion originating from Baiyun International Airport and the first time China Southern will open such an extensive route expansion within a one single year.
Mr. Sis announcement comes on the heels of China Southerns recent opening of new service from China to Lagos, Nigeria and Katmandu, Nepal.
He added that, As we race towards the end of Chinas Eleventh Five-Year Plan, China Southern Airlines will continue to add more flight capacity to its home Guangzhou market.? We plan to add 68 new modern jet aircraft to the China Southern fleet by the end of 2007 - with the goal of 440 aircraft.
Mr. Si stressed the importance of China Southern Airlines forthcoming full membership in the global SkyTeam Alliance, slated for the second half of 2007
As our International network further expands to these 10 new International cities, China Southern Airlines will be extending its brand into all new metropolitan markets C generating additional global awareness of our airline and the extensive China Southern route network.
International routes slated for opening in 2007 include:
Guangzhou-Dubai-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Luanda-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Sendai-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Sapporo-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Katmandu-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Delhi-Guangzhou
Guangzhou- Siem Reap -Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Phuket-Guangzhou
Guangzhou-Yangon-Guangzhou and
Guangzhou-Vientiane-Guangzhou
By the close of February 2007, China Southern Airlines will operate 82 International and regional services, with Guangzhou and Beijing as its major airport hubs with regional airports in Urumqi in Chinas northeast and Shenyang in the northwest serving as an air network covering all of Asia with convenient connections to Africa, Australia, Europe and the United States.
With world headquarters In Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines currently operates 22 Guangzhou-outbound International and regional routes, with direct services to the major cities in North America, Europe, Australia, South East Asian areas, Japan and South Korea.
As the $3 Billion Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport enters its second phase of expansion, China Southern Airlines hub construction has gained significant momentum as it quickly expands the Southern Chinese marketplace to the world.
As these 10 new routes are launched, International outbound routes from Guangzhou will nearly double from the current 18 to 26.? Weekly International frequencies will spike from the current 136 to 182 flights C an increase of more than 30%.
Tallying its current code-share partners, China Southern Airlines will be offering routes to 173 world-wide destinations, giving passengers the ultimate in flexible travel schedules to nearly any major city in the world.
In 2006, China Southern Airlines had total traffic turnover of 8.071 Billion tons kilometers and carried more than 49 Million passengers, ranking as Chinas largest airline for 28 consecutive years and is currently one of the worlds Top Ten passenger airline.
Also in 2006, China Southern Airlines recorded more than 930,000 safe flight hours of operation, earning the airline the best safety record in the Chinese aviation industry.? The carrier was honored by the CAAC with the Three Star Safe Flight Operations Award - the most prestigious award in the Chinese aviation industry.?
The largest airline in The Peoples Republic of China for the past 28 years, China Southern Airlines - www.csair.com/en - connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as International service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
For China Southern Airlines reservations and information, please contact your local travel agent.