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

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

2026 Xi-Trump 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.

15 May 2026 - 8:24PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

14 May 2026 - 6:36PM

China airliners

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

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

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

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

A flight route between Beijing and Pyongyang has resumed. An Air China flight leaves Beijing on Monday morning and returns from North Korea around noon the same day. Photo: Kyodo

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

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

Aircraft operated by Air China are parked at an airport in Beijing. The state-owned Chinese airline is one of several buyers in China to place orders for Airbus passenger jets in recent days. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:13PMvideocam

Visitors take photos against the backdrop of Japan’s Mount Fuji. Tensions have been high between China and Japan since November. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan lose momentum amid tensions: official data

Mainland visitor numbers rose just 3% in November after flight cuts and travel warnings took effect as diplomatic strains escalated.

18 Dec 2025 - 9:14AMvideocam

China consumption

‘A violation’? China’s airlines in the hot seat over hidden extra fees

Seat selection fees are becoming more common in China as airlines grapple with squeezed profit margins, but consumers are pushing back.

13 Dec 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Major Chinese airlines extend full refund offers for Japan flights by 3 months

Largest state-owned carriers including China Southern and Air China continue free refunds or itinerary changes amid diplomatic row.

5 Dec 2025 - 10:45PM

A China Eastern Airlines flight takes off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The carrier is among several in China to have announced a full refund policy for Japan-bound flights. Photo: Xinhua

China travel

Chinese airlines cancel flights on 12 Japan routes as tensions continue to rise

The carriers had already received refund requests for hundreds of thousands of flight bookings to Japan amid a growing diplomatic row.

24 Nov 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

A Chinese tour group crosses a street in central Tokyo. China has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines leads way with refunds amid Japan travel alerts

Airlines in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau have announced flexible arrangements for Japan-bound flights as tensions simmer in region.

20 Nov 2025 - 7:50PM

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong travel firm sees interest in Japan tours drop 20% amid regional tensions

Travel agency CEO says some customers asking to withdraw from Japan, following travel warning by China’s foreign affairs ministry.

19 Nov 2025 - 10:34PM

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Air China

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

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

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.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}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.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}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.

China-Japan tension hits holiday travel as flights cancelled on 46 routes

All cancelled flights are operated by Chinese carriers and involve most of the country’s major airlines.

Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan lose momentum amid tensions: official data

Mainland visitor numbers rose just 3% in November after flight cuts and travel warnings took effect as diplomatic strains escalated.

‘A violation’? China’s airlines in the hot seat over hidden extra fees

Seat selection fees are becoming more common in China as airlines grapple with squeezed profit margins, but consumers are pushing back.

Major Chinese airlines extend full refund offers for Japan flights by 3 months

Largest state-owned carriers including China Southern and Air China continue free refunds or itinerary changes amid diplomatic row.

Chinese airlines cancel flights on 12 Japan routes as tensions continue to rise

The carriers had already received refund requests for hundreds of thousands of flight bookings to Japan amid a growing diplomatic row.

Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines leads way with refunds amid Japan travel alerts

Airlines in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau have announced flexible arrangements for Japan-bound flights as tensions simmer in region.

Hong Kong travel firm sees interest in Japan tours drop 20% amid regional tensions

Travel agency CEO says some customers asking to withdraw from Japan, following travel warning by China’s foreign affairs ministry.

Video | Air China resumes direct flights to Pyongyang

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