Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Air China Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement that will enable the Star Alliance members to take on competition from the rival Skyteam partnership on China-Europe routes and boost earnings.
The flag carriers of Germany and China plan to increase coordination on flight schedules and expand code-sharing on China-Europe flights when the venture takes off next year, Air China Chairman Cai Jianjiang said at a signing ceremony in Beijing Tuesday. The venture, pending regulatory approval in Europe and China, is the closest the two carriers can get under restrictions on foreign control of Chinese airlines.
