China Southern Airlines expands its Boeing 777 service between Australia and China

China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH) (HKSE: 1055), the largest airline in The People's Republic of China is pleased to announce the expansion of its Boeing 777 service between Australia and China with a fourth weekly flight - every Friday - starting November 1.

"Business and leisure travel to and from China is growing steadily as the country continues to open its doors to international commerce and tourism," said Ms. Annie Ye, General Manager/ Australia, China Southern Airlines.

"With the entry of China into the World Trade Organization and the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, there will continue to be substantial new opportunities for growth in commerce between Australia and China. Our company is already working to build opportunities between the two countries, and recently flew Australian world champion swimmer Ian Thorpe to Beijing where he attended the "Spirit of Friendship" dinner," added Ms. Ye.

The new Friday service will originate from Melbourne to Sydney and Guangzhou, taking to three the number of weekly flights the airline operates on this route. China's largest airline also operates one direct weekly flight from Sydney to Guangzhou - totaling four flights from Australia to China each week.

China Southern Airlines' flight CZ 322 will depart Melbourne at 8.10 a.m. (Australian Eastern Summer Time) each Monday, Thursday and Friday and from Sydney at 10.50a.m. each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Passengers travelling from New Zealand can also conveniently connect with China Southern Airlines' Sydney - Guangzhou service.

China Southern Airlines' Premium Business Class features all of the luxurious amenities of First Class with the most comfortable and widest Business Class seat in the transpacific market - a full 60" seat pitch and increased aisle space. PremiumBusiness offers gourmet Cantonese cuisine served on white linen with fine china and a selection of exceptional wines, liqueurs, spirits and champagne. 

Each PremiumBusiness seat on China Southern Airlines comes with a private, fully adjustable crystal PTV screen, satellite telephone and footrests.

China Southern Airlines is the only airline in China to offer the latest in Hollywood blockbuster movies, BBC-TV, MTV-style programming and contemporary Chinese films, sports updates and specials.

China Southern Airlines' Pearl Class has one of the most comfortable and widest economy seating with a 40" seat pitch and increased aisle space. Each seat comes with headrests with cushioned side wings for additional privacy and comfort as well as a private, fully adjustable crystal PTV screen, satellite telephone and footrests.

In addition, China Southern Airlines has introduced Hotel Selections, an all-new holiday stopover program for travelers from Australia to China and Southeast Asia.

The extensive China stopover program, the first of its kind from Australia, offers an initial 28 properties in 18 cities - 16 within China, plus Singapore and Bangkok. It is designed to serve both the business and leisure travel markets to China.

Hotel Selections offers three levels of property - Standard, Superior and Deluxe - with prices starting at just AUD$46 per person, twin share. This program also features international brands including Holiday Inn, Sheraton and Shangri La. 

The Hotel Selections program offers properties throughout China, in the airline's hub of Guangzhou, plus Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Kunming, Hangzhou, Guilin, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shenzen, Dalian, Nanjing, Urumqi, Harbin and Shantou. Properties are also offered in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.

All prices include local service charges, and many properties also include buffet breakfast in their tariff. Prices are valid until 31 March, 2003.

Hotel Selections packages can be combined with China Southern's special Pearl Class fare of AUD$1,999 from Sydney and Melbourne to Guangzhou, which includes free Economy Class travel on selected domestic routes in China, including Beijing, Shanghai Hong Kong and Guilin. This special offer is on sale until 31 October for travel until 31 December.

In addition, all China Southern Airlines passengers receive free membership in The Sky Pearl Club, the fastest growing frequent flyer program in China with more than 80,000 new members each month. Sky Pearl Club FFP mileage partners include Marriott, China Mobile, Shangri-la Hotels & Resorts and The Bank of China.

The largest airline in The People's Republic of China for the past 23 years, China Southern Airlines 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, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Osaka, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.