Air China to launch more international flights to cope with downturn

AIR CHINA will continue to optimise its cargo business, seeking larger clients to exploit new markets, particularly more international routes to cope with pressures from the current downturn, Xinhua reports.

Airline vice chairman and financial director Fan Cheng said the carrier will inaugurate routes to Europe and America and those from Beijing and some second tier cities to Japan in the second half.

Mr Fan said the cargo market was still depressed and estimated it would remain stagnant in the near future though no traces of greater decrease are foreseen.

He also expected that the fuel price will undergo greater fluctuation in the later half of year, adding that Air China's new fuel hedge plan has been approved by the government, the timing of implementation has yet to be set.