China Eastern Joins SkyTeam

China Eastern and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance at a ceremony held in Beijing on Tuesday.

In welcoming these Shanghai-based airlines, SkyTeam now offers 10% more daily departures to and from the Greater China region. China Eastern becomes the 14th airline to join SkyTeam, which is expected to grow to 19 members by 2012.

China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines bring 32 new destinations to SkyTeam's global network, including Chinese cities such as Jiayuguan, the pass of the famous Silk Road. New international destinations are Macau and Colombo.

China Airlines of Taiwan is set to join later this year.

Effective immediately, China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines' passengers can earn and redeem frequent flyer miles when flying on all services operated by SkyTeam member airlines. Members of other SkyTeam airlines' frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when traveling on China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines-operated flights. Frequent flyers can also benefit from access to more than 465 lounges worldwide, including those offered by China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines at Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao airports.

The Paris Air Show is being held this week at Le Bourget near the French capital, Paris.

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