Air China to expand European presence, further becoming largest Chinese airline on the continent

Air China is building on its reputation as China's flag carrier with an expanded schedule to Europe, increasing frequency on existing services and also opening two new routes: Beijing-Geneva and Chengdu-Frankfurt.

Air China's service will be the first Chinese one to Geneva while Chengdu-Frankfurt represents the first route from a Chinese carrier originating in a secondary Chinese city. Several secondary Chinese cities - many of them very large - are growing faster than traditional coastal areas and have also been the expansion target - out of opportunity and necessity - of European airlines.

Air China, which of China's 'Big Three' has the largest portion of its capacity in international markets, will cement its position as the largest carrier between China and Europe, and twice that of its nearest competitor (and Star Alliance partner), Lufthansa. Air China is also the seventh largest carrier between Europe and Asia-Pacific, thanks to its service to a number of smaller European cities, where it holds market leadership, unlike in major cities where it is typically overshadowed by Europe's main hub carriers.