CHINA/US. Shanghai Airlines and United Airlines this week signed a breakthrough code-share agreement that expands international destination options and frequent flyer opportunities for customers of both carriers.
Pending US government approval, the 11 code-share flights covered by the agreement are scheduled to commence on 15 May.
Shanghai Airlines Chairman Zhou Chi said: “Shanghai Airlines was awarded the right to operate flights between China and the US at the end of 2005 as a result of China’s liberalization of the aviation market, specifically on the China to US routes. The code-share agreement between United Airlines and Shanghai Airlines will provide passengers travelling between China and the US with more diversified flight options, convenient connections and improved service.”
United Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Tilton said: “We are pleased to work closely with our partners at Shanghai Airlines to extend our route network from Shanghai to four key cities in China, while providing the traveling public of the PRC with non-stop access on United to San Francisco and Chicago, and hundreds of other destinations in the US and worldwide.”
United routes listed under the agreement include Shanghai to Chicago and San Francisco; San Francisco to Los Angeles, Newark and New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport); and Chicago to Newark and New York (LaGuardia International Airport). Shanghai Airlines flights included in the agreement depart from Pudong International Airport in Shanghai to Shenyang, Chengdu, Dalian and Qingdao.
The news is an important development for travel retailers operating at the airports concerned as the fast-growing outbound Chinese market grows in spending power.
