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Air China Limited (, colloquially known as 国航/國航, , , ) is the flag carrier〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/air-china_airlines/ )〕 and one of the major airlines of the People's Republic of China, with its headquarters in Shunyi District, Beijing. Air China's flight operations are based in Beijing Capital International Airport. In 2013, the airline carried 51 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 81%.〔(Air China Annual Report 2012 )〕 ==History== Air China was established and commenced operations on 1 July 1988 as a result of the Chinese government's decision in late 1987 to split the operating divisions of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) into six separate airlines: Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, China Northern, China Southwest, and China Northwest. Air China was given chief responsibility for intercontinental flights and took over the CAAC's long haul aircraft (Boeing 747s, 767s, and 707s) and routes. In January 2001, the former CAAC's ten airlines agreed on a merger plan,〔Ng, Eric, "Air China Set to Announce Lead Bank for Listing," South China Morning Post, Bus. Sec., July 16, 2001, p. 4.〕 according to which Air China was to acquire China Southwest Airlines. Before the acquisition, Air China was the country's fourth largest domestic airline. The merger created a group with assets of 56 billion Yuan (USD $8.63 billion), and a fleet of 118 aircraft.〔Holland, Tom, "China Break-In," Far Eastern Economic Review, October 25, 2001, p. 41.〕 In October 2002, Air China consolidated with the China National Aviation Corporation and China Southwest Airlines. On 15 December 2004, Air China was successfully listed on the Hong Kong and London Stock Exchanges. The airline also listed its shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 18 August 2006. In 2006, Air China signed an agreement to join the Star Alliance. It became a member of the alliance on 12 December 2007 alongside Shanghai Airlines. In July 2009, Air China acquired $19.3 million of shares from its troubled subsidiary Air Macau, lifting its stake in the carrier from 51% to 80.9%.〔(Air China increases stake in Air Macau to almost 81% ), Air Transport Intelligence news, 12.07.2010〕 One month later, Air China spent HK$6.3 billion (USD $813 million) to raise its stake in Cathay Pacific from 17.5% to 30%, expanding its presence in Hong Kong.〔(Air China to Raise Cathay Pacific Stake to 30% (Update2) ), By Bloomberg News, August 17, 2009〕 In April 2010, Air China completed the increase of shareholdings in Shenzhen Airlines and became the controlling shareholder of Shenzhen Airlines, allowing Air China to further enhance its position in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai as well as achieve a more balanced domestic network.〔(Air China acquires majority stake in Shenzhen Airlines ), Air Transport Intelligence news, 22/03/10〕 On 2 December 2010, Air China received Spain's highest tourism industry award, the "Plaque for Tourist Merit". Air China was the first foreign airline to receive the award, which is given to organisations and individuals contributing to the Spanish tourism industry.〔(Air China Received Top Tourism Award ) TN Global Travel Industry News, Dec 3, 2010〕 On 23 December 2010, Air China became the first Chinese airline to offer combined tickets that include domestic flights and shuttle bus services to nearby cities. The first combined flight-shuttle bus ticket connected Tianjin via shuttle bus with domestic flights passing through Beijing. Air China began offering Wi-Fi internet service on board its aircraft on 15 November 2011, making it the first Chinese carrier to offer this service.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.flightnetwork.com/blog/air-china-provides-affordable-luxury-travelers/ )〕 In 2012, after pressure from PETA, Air China stated that it would no longer transport monkeys to laboratories. PETA welcomed the airline’s announcement. In 2012 Air China launched a Facebook campaign in collaboration with Asian restaurants in Sweden, where participants could check in using their smartphones and win a flight to Beijing. On July 3, 2013 in time for the company's 25th anniversary, Air China successfully tested Wireless LAN in flight. It was the first global satellite Internet flight in Mainland China.〔(国内航班首试空中上网服务 )〕 In early 2015 it was announced that the airline had selected the Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX for its fleet renewal programme of 60 aircraft. The deal, with a value of over $6b at current list prices, has yet to be finalised. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Air China」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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