Shenzhen Airlines is the latest carrier to be signed as a future Star Alliance member.
The domestic carrier will be the second Chinese airline in the alliance, after Air China.
Shanghai Airlines used to be a member of Skyteam, until it defected to Skyteam last month following its merger with China Eastern Airlines.
The signing of Shenzhen Airlines is part of Star Alliance's strategy to expand into future growth markets, said Jan Albrecht, CEO.
The airline will bring five new destinations into Star Alliance's network in China: Juzhou (Zhejiang Province), Linyi, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang, and Zhoushan.
“Shenzhen Airlines is the fifth largest airline in China operating from the fifth busiest airport in the country,” he said.
“In conjunction with Air China, we will be growing our customer offer especially in the southern part of China.”
The integration process Shenzhen Airlines must complete before joining Star Alliance has been started, with Air China overseeing as mentor.
Kong Don, Air China's chairman said the two airlines would form a close working relationship: “Air China and Shenzhen Airlines will actively participate in Alliance activities and initiatives, and work closely together with all member airlines to achieve win-win cooperation.”
Feng Gang, Shenzhen Airlines' president, said: “Joining Star Alliance will help Shenzhen Airlines in its mission to build on its strength of a well-known national carrier, while implementing its strategy of establishing itself as a strong brand across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”
Star Alliance currently has 27 member airlines and four other future members, which include Air India, Avianca-TACA, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines.
www.staralliance.com www.shenzhenair.com