China Eastern GM expects improvements in 2H2012

China Eastern Airlines general manager Ma Xunlun stated, "Chinese airlines have been facing great operation pressures in 2012" although the situation "is expected to improve in the second half of the year". Mr Ma, as quoted by Carnoc.com, attributed the pressures to declining volume of business travellers, increasing fuel costs and the slow appreciation of the Chinese yuan, which has substantially reduced the foreign exchange gains of airlines. Mr Ma also stated the carrier will adjust its capacity, promote air-railway combined transportation system and accelerate the transformations of passenger and cargo business to cope with the challenges.