China Eastern/Shanghai Airline merger to reduce investment by USD100 million

China Eastern Airlines General Manager, Ma Xulun, stated the merger with Shanghai Airlines is expected to help reduce investment by CNY680 million (USD100 million) in 2010 (dycj.ynet.com, 22-Mar-2010). During 2010, the two airlines will add more than 30 aircraft and will take some older aircraft out of service (as part of this process, the carrier will reportedly sell nine MD-90s to Delta Air Lines in succession before Jul-2010). The carrier added that the merger is progressing well, with "synergistic effects" expected to be seen in the 1Q2010 financial results.