CAAC approves China Eastern acquisition of Shanghai Airlines

China Eastern Airlines General Manager, Ma Xulun, confirmed that the CAAC has approved China Eastern Airlines' acquisition of Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai Daily, 28-Aug-09). The merger still requires the approval of both carriers' shareholders, although China Eastern has already commenced the merger process and expects the transaction to be completed by year-end. The airlines will operate a combined fleet of more than 300 aircraft, with the integration to better utilise these aircraft to optimise the combined network, according to Mr Ma. The merged airline will launch 22 express routes, which feature higher frequencies (some routes will have 14 daily services), when the Winter-Spring season schedule commences in Nov-2009.

China Eastern Airlines: "We have gained approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China and begun merging business between the two carriers, such as integrating flights for the winter-spring season," Ma Xulun, GM. Source: Shanghai Daily, 28-Aug-09.