TOPIC

/ company

Air China

Air China is the flag carrier and one of the major airlines of the People's Republic of China. Based in Beijing it is one of the world’s largest airlines in terms of fleet size.

Chairman / President

Wang Mingyuan

CFO / Finance Director

Sun Yuquan

Industry

Airline

Website

airchina.com

Headquarters address

Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone, Shunyi District, Beijing, China

Stock Code

SEHK:0753

Year founded

1988

A train driver sits in a new high-speed train before it departs from the Beijing-South railway station for Shanghai as part of an official trip for members of the media June 27, 2011. Photo: Reuters

China Railway

On This Day | Shanghai-Beijing high-speed rail link officially began operations in 2011 – SCMP archive

The landmark Shanghai–to–Beijing rail link marks a new era for Chinese transit.

30 Jun 2026 - 2:55PM

China’s C919 passenger plane

China’s first C919s get critical ‘C-checks’ as European regulators watch

15 Jun 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

China airliners

Air China C909 hits bird as Chinese jets face growing ‘real-world’ tests

11 Jun 2026 - 12:24PM

China trade

Tungsten and eyelashes: N Korea-China trade hits 9-year high as Xi hails ties

On his state visit to Pyongyang, President Xi eyes infrastructure, agriculture and tech gains as cross-border rail restarts, while high volumes of hair and tungsten fuel China’s imports.

8 Jun 2026 - 7:33PMvideocam

A street is decorated with the flags of China and North Korea in Pyongyang on Monday during President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Photo: AP

China airliners

China widens repair network for C919, C909 jets to outfly supply disruptions

China’s home-grown jets will be able to stay in the air for longer as maintenance centres open on the mainland, some with Hong Kong servicers.

7 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:21PMvideocam

China-North Korea relations

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

27 May 2026 - 10:15AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump, touting deal, says China to buy 200 Boeing jets with promise for more

After leaving Beijing, the US president announced a pledge to buy at least 200 jets, and up to 750 under certain conditions.

15 May 2026 - 8:24PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

‘A flying White House’: Trump’s Air Force One fuels fascination in China

Hundreds of Beijing residents join professional photographers at vantage points near airport to capture arrival of the presidential plane.

14 May 2026 - 6:36PM

China airliners

Expat pilots hoping to fly in China warned their credentials no longer coveted

China’s aviation market still attracts foreign pilots but they face high competition, rigid standards as overseas experience loses its shine.

6 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Two commercial airline pilots walk through the departure hall of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, as foreign pilots seeking to launch a career in China are warned of stiff competition and rigid standards. Photo: Getty

China airliners

China Southern orders Airbus jets worth US$21b as Boeing waits

Airline joins state-owned peers in placing large orders with European manufacturer, while rumoured Boeing deal could hinge on Trump visit.

29 Apr 2026 - 10:57PM

The order covers 137 A320neo jets for China Southern Airlines and subsidiary Xiamen Airlines. Photo: Handout

Aviation

Rolls-Royce boosts China presence with engine maintenance venture

The maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Beijing will be capable of handling up to 250 shop visits per year.

28 Apr 2026 - 7:30AM

China airliners

‘Not compromising quality’: why China’s C919 is falling behind on deliveries

Deliveries of the home-grown airliner billed to take on US, European competitors have been slow, with just three dispatched in the first quarter.

20 Apr 2026 - 11:14AMvideocam

China energy security

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:07PM

An Air China plane at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Photo: Shutterstock

China energy security

Chinese airline regulator faces dilemma as Iran war sends fuel costs soaring

Pending announcement from regulator, two airlines reveal plans for sixfold increase in surcharges.

2 Apr 2026 - 6:00AM

A China Eastern Airlines plane takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Photo: Xinhua

North Korea

Video | Air China resumes direct flights to Pyongyang

The route resumption is seen as a sign of warming economic ties between China and North Korea.

30 Mar 2026 - 4:58PM

China-North Korea relations

China steps up North Korea connections as regular Pyongyang flights resume

Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored.

30 Mar 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

US-China relations

Air China subsidiary to lease 10 Boeing jets in deals worth about US$400 million

The announcement comes weeks ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China, where he is expected to conduct trade talks.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Shandong Airlines takes off from an airport in Tianjin, northern China. Photo: Shutterstock

China travel

China’s airlines add 2,900 flights to Europe as Russia access pays dividends

Chinese carriers have a major advantage over other global airlines due to their access to Russian airspace and ability to bypass the Middle East.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

China-North Korea relations

Air China to resume North Korea flights after 6 years amid warming ties

The revival of tourism is seen as a test of Pyongyang’s willingness to reignite economic ties with Beijing, its largest trading partner.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:02PMvideocam

Cathay Pacific

Swire sells part of Cathay stake for HK$1.8 billion to boost working capital

Group sold 153.05 million shares on Thursday at HK$11.74 each, but still holds 45.12 per cent of airline’s stock.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:52PMvideocam

Cathay Pacific posted a 9.5 per cent rise in net profit to HK$10.82 billion for 2025. Photo: Winson Wong

Aviation

Persian Gulf crisis boosts Chinese airlines’ routes to Europe amid turmoil

Chinese carriers gain advantage as Gulf carriers take heavy hit from airspace closures; actress Dilraba Dilmurat among those stranded.

4 Mar 2026 - 3:28PM

A man stands in front of a closed check-in counter for Gulf carrier Etihad at London Heathrow Airport on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Asia’s travel sector rattled by Iran attacks, fears of ‘domino effect’ slowdown

Airlines are bracing for higher oil prices, continuous flight disruptions and plunging traveller confidence.

2 Mar 2026 - 5:59PMvideocam

China energy security

China faces oil squeeze after US-Israel strikes on Iran

Replacing discounted oil supplies from Iran would be a headache for China as Russia is already making up the loss of shipments from Venezuela.

2 Mar 2026 - 5:03PM

China airliners

Exclusive | China’s widebody C929 may take off ahead of schedule, sources say

Maker of the home-grown rival to Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 is working directly with regulators, which analysts said could speed up certification.

2 Feb 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

Models of C19 and C929 aircraft are displayed during the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Beijing issues new Japan travel warning as row over PM’s Taiwan comments drags on

Citizens warned against visiting ahead of Lunar New Year holiday as Chinese airlines extend deadline for refunds or flight changes.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:55PMvideocam

More than 9 million Chinese citizens visited Japan last year. Photo: AFP

Cathay Pacific

Air China’s HK$1.32 billion Cathay stake sale ‘tactical’: Hong Kong carrier CEO

Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam also assures Air China will remain long-term strategic shareholder, as carrier unveils 80th anniversary events.

6 Jan 2026 - 7:50PM

China-EU relations

Airbus scores major win in China with orders for 148 A320 aircraft

The flurry of orders, worth billions of US dollars, marks a big victory for the European aviation firm over US rival Boeing in a key market.

31 Dec 2025 - 9:46PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Air China

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}On This Day | Shanghai-Beijing high-speed rail link officially began operations in 2011 – SCMP archive

The landmark Shanghai–to–Beijing rail link marks a new era for Chinese transit.

China’s first C919s get critical ‘C-checks’ as European regulators watch

Air China C909 hits bird as Chinese jets face growing ‘real-world’ tests

Tungsten and eyelashes: N Korea-China trade hits 9-year high as Xi hails ties

On his state visit to Pyongyang, President Xi eyes infrastructure, agriculture and tech gains as cross-border rail restarts, while high volumes of hair and tungsten fuel China’s imports.

China widens repair network for C919, C909 jets to outfly supply disruptions

China’s home-grown jets will be able to stay in the air for longer as maintenance centres open on the mainland, some with Hong Kong servicers.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week

Relations rebuilding after years of relative isolation due to pandemic, Beijing’s denuclearisation stance and closer Pyongyang-Moscow ties.

A quiet reset in ties is brewing along the China-North Korea border

The resumption of train routes and a spike in overland trade underscore a reset in ties ahead of a reported leaders’ summit.

Trump, touting deal, says China to buy 200 Boeing jets with promise for more

After leaving Beijing, the US president announced a pledge to buy at least 200 jets, and up to 750 under certain conditions.

‘A flying White House’: Trump’s Air Force One fuels fascination in China

Hundreds of Beijing residents join professional photographers at vantage points near airport to capture arrival of the presidential plane.

Expat pilots hoping to fly in China warned their credentials no longer coveted

China’s aviation market still attracts foreign pilots but they face high competition, rigid standards as overseas experience loses its shine.

China Southern orders Airbus jets worth US$21b as Boeing waits

Airline joins state-owned peers in placing large orders with European manufacturer, while rumoured Boeing deal could hinge on Trump visit.

Rolls-Royce boosts China presence with engine maintenance venture

The maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Beijing will be capable of handling up to 250 shop visits per year.

‘Not compromising quality’: why China’s C919 is falling behind on deliveries

Deliveries of the home-grown airliner billed to take on US, European competitors have been slow, with just three dispatched in the first quarter.

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

Chinese airline regulator faces dilemma as Iran war sends fuel costs soaring

Pending announcement from regulator, two airlines reveal plans for sixfold increase in surcharges.

Video | Air China resumes direct flights to Pyongyang

The route resumption is seen as a sign of warming economic ties between China and North Korea.

China steps up North Korea connections as regular Pyongyang flights resume

Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored.

Air China subsidiary to lease 10 Boeing jets in deals worth about US$400 million

The announcement comes weeks ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China, where he is expected to conduct trade talks.

China’s airlines add 2,900 flights to Europe as Russia access pays dividends

Chinese carriers have a major advantage over other global airlines due to their access to Russian airspace and ability to bypass the Middle East.

Air China to resume North Korea flights after 6 years amid warming ties

The revival of tourism is seen as a test of Pyongyang’s willingness to reignite economic ties with Beijing, its largest trading partner.

Swire sells part of Cathay stake for HK$1.8 billion to boost working capital

Group sold 153.05 million shares on Thursday at HK$11.74 each, but still holds 45.12 per cent of airline’s stock.

Persian Gulf crisis boosts Chinese airlines’ routes to Europe amid turmoil

Chinese carriers gain advantage as Gulf carriers take heavy hit from airspace closures; actress Dilraba Dilmurat among those stranded.

Asia’s travel sector rattled by Iran attacks, fears of ‘domino effect’ slowdown

Airlines are bracing for higher oil prices, continuous flight disruptions and plunging traveller confidence.

China faces oil squeeze after US-Israel strikes on Iran

Replacing discounted oil supplies from Iran would be a headache for China as Russia is already making up the loss of shipments from Venezuela.

Exclusive | China’s widebody C929 may take off ahead of schedule, sources say

Maker of the home-grown rival to Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 is working directly with regulators, which analysts said could speed up certification.

Beijing issues new Japan travel warning as row over PM’s Taiwan comments drags on

Citizens warned against visiting ahead of Lunar New Year holiday as Chinese airlines extend deadline for refunds or flight changes.

Air China’s HK$1.32 billion Cathay stake sale ‘tactical’: Hong Kong carrier CEO

Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam also assures Air China will remain long-term strategic shareholder, as carrier unveils 80th anniversary events.

Airbus scores major win in China with orders for 148 A320 aircraft

The flurry of orders, worth billions of US dollars, marks a big victory for the European aviation firm over US rival Boeing in a key market.

On This Day | Shanghai-Beijing high-speed rail link officially began operations in 2011 – SCMP archive