Air China is a Chinese passenger airline headquartered in Beijing, with domestic and international services. Its predecessor was established in 1988, and the present listed company was formed in 2004. The airline is a member of Star Alliance.[1]About Air China: company profile and corporate historyAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]Air China company profileAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Formation and consolidation
Air China International Corporation was established in 1988. In October 2002 it integrated air transport resources from China Southwest Airlines and China National Aviation Company. This consolidation brought together businesses that had previously operated separately and preceded the formation of the listed airline company.[1]About Air China: company profile and corporate historyAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Listed airline company
Air China Limited was established in Beijing on 30 September 2004. Its shares began trading in Hong Kong and London on 15 December that year, followed by a domestic A-share listing in August 2006. The 1988 and 2004 dates therefore describe different stages of the airline’s corporate development: the original operator and the later listed company.[1]About Air China: company profile and corporate historyAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Network and group operations
The airline operates through Beijing headquarters and branches in several Chinese regions. Its wider corporate group includes airline interests such as Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Aviation Group and Air Macau, together with engineering and support businesses. Figures reported for Air China and its subsidiaries consequently describe a broader operation than the aircraft carrying the Air China brand alone.[2]Air China company profileAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Air China was the official passenger airline partner for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. These partnerships accompanied its role in domestic and international passenger transport.[2]Air China company profileAir China · webresource.airchina.com.cn · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Star Alliance cooperation
Air China joined Star Alliance in December 2007. The partnership links its domestic and international network with other member airlines. Participating frequent-flyer programmes allow members to earn and redeem miles across eligible partner flights, with alliance cooperation extending available connections beyond routes directly flown by Air China.[3]Air China cooperation and Star AllianceAir China · ru.airchina.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details