Joining SkyTeam will not affect new investors - China Eastern Airlines Chairman

China Eastern Airlines Chairman, Liu Shaoyong, stated the carrier's move to join SkyTeam will not affect any potential strategic investors, adding the carrier welcomes any foreign carrier investments, including from other SkyTeam members (Xinhua, 17-Apr-2010). China Eastern and SkyTeam signed an MoU confirming the carrier's intention to join the alliance by mid-2011 on 16-Apr-2010. Mr Liu stated earlier the carrier was seeking domestic and international investors. Meanwhile, China Eastern General Manager, Ma Xulun, stated the carrier has an "open mind" to the introduction of a strategic investor and the decision is one of its new strategic objectives for 2010. Delta Air Lines expressed (16-Apr-2010) its support of China Eastern's signing of MoU to join the SkyTeam global airline alliance. [more]

Delta Air Lines: "China Eastern is an outstanding airline with a strong leadership team and a proud history of serving its customers. We are honoured that another leading global airline has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners. China Eastern's extensive network and growing hub in Shanghai will complement Delta's existing service to China and improve our customers' access to destinations across one of the world's fastest-growing regions," Richard Anderson, CEO. Source: Company Statement.