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

Screens display flight and weather data at the Airport Operations Control Centre at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Hangzhou, China. Photo: Weibo/ 临世面

Accidents and disasters in China

Typhoon Dolphin grounds hundreds of flights as it approaches eastern China

Airlines offer free flight changes and cancellations ahead of the storm, which is expected to bring torrential rain to the region.

38 minutes ago

Hong Kong economy

Cathay Pacific posts 71% profit rise to HK$6.24 billion in first half of year

5 Aug 2026 - 11:26PM

Accidents and disasters in China

Rail and air services cancelled as southern China braces for Typhoon Noul

25 Jul 2026 - 6:10PM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific expects first-half profit to jump 75% to HK$6.5 billion

Growth in passenger and cargo volumes, plus HK$1.4 billion one-off gain, boosts earnings.

22 Jul 2026 - 7:36PM

Cathay Pacific carried 12 per cent more passengers in June compared with the same month last year and reported a 17 per cent increase for the first six months. Photo: Sam Tsang

China airliners

China’s C919 passenger jets to enter service on first international route

Air China’s daily flights to and from Mongolia mark an important milestone for the country’s efforts to end reliance on Western-built planes.

19 Jul 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

China airliners

Taking flight: Airbus secures a big order from Chinese airlines

Air China says it will purchase 15 widebody A350-900 jets, while subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will buy 40 narrowbody A320neo aircraft.

17 Jul 2026 - 9:30PM

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

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’s C919 passenger plane

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

The first deep-level maintenance of Comac’s narrowbody jet is expected to provide the data needed to prove the aircraft’s long-term durability to global inspectors.

15 Jun 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

China airliners

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

Wildlife strike in Beijing caught on video near popular vantage point, illustrating how rising flight volumes expose Comac’s fleet of jets to more operational risks.

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

Spectators view China’s C919 aircraft during the 2025 Nanchang Air Show and Aviation Industry Expo at Yaohu Airport in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

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

An Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taxis to a runway before takeoff in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: AFP

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

Beijing residents photograph Air Force One as it arrives carrying US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

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

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

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

A Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine. Photo: Rolls-Royce

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

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

01:13

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

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

A Boeing aircraft operated by Air China taxis at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. Chinese airlines’ access to Russian airspace has given them a major advantage over other global carriers in recent years. Photo: Shutterstock

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

Air China appears set to relaunch direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang later this month. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images

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

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

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Air China

Typhoon Dolphin grounds hundreds of flights as it approaches eastern China

Airlines offer free flight changes and cancellations ahead of the storm, which is expected to bring torrential rain to the region.

Cathay Pacific posts 71% profit rise to HK$6.24 billion in first half of year

Rail and air services cancelled as southern China braces for Typhoon Noul

Cathay Pacific expects first-half profit to jump 75% to HK$6.5 billion

Growth in passenger and cargo volumes, plus HK$1.4 billion one-off gain, boosts earnings.

China’s C919 passenger jets to enter service on first international route

Air China’s daily flights to and from Mongolia mark an important milestone for the country’s efforts to end reliance on Western-built planes.

Taking flight: Airbus secures a big order from Chinese airlines

Air China says it will purchase 15 widebody A350-900 jets, while subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will buy 40 narrowbody A320neo aircraft.

.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

The first deep-level maintenance of Comac’s narrowbody jet is expected to provide the data needed to prove the aircraft’s long-term durability to global inspectors.

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

Wildlife strike in Beijing caught on video near popular vantage point, illustrating how rising flight volumes expose Comac’s fleet of jets to more operational risks.

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.

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