China Eastern to improve punctuality and service to compete with high-speed rail

China Eastern Airlines General Manager Ma Xunlun stated the carrier will improve punctuality and service to compete with the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail service which is scheduled to commence commercial operations on 30-Jun-2011 (China Finance Information/Xinhua, 27-Jun-2011). The carrier stated it is also in discussions with the Ministry of Railways about forming a cooperation. China Eastern have signed an agreement with Shanghai Hongqiao Station to allow passengers booking airline tickets to and from Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong to also book train tickets between Shanghai and cities in the Yangtze River Delta Region.