Shenzhen Airlines has become the latest carrier to join the Star Alliance network.

At a ceremony held at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Mark Schwab, chief executive of Star Alliance, welcomed the airline into the family on behalf on the chief executive board.

“Shenzhen Airlines is China’s fifth largest carrier and strengthens the Star Alliance presence in China and across Asia.

“Our customers now benefit from improved access throughout the economically important Pearl River Delta and across southern China.

“Shenzhen Airlines at the same time gains access to a global network with enhanced benefits for its passengers; truly a win-win situation,” said Schwab.

Adding Shenzhen Airlines to the network is part of Star Alliance’s strategy of improving access to current and future growth markets, thus providing the international traveller with more destinations and flights. In the case of China, the foundation for this strategy was set many years ago, by those Star Alliance member carriers who have been successfully serving this market for several decades.

In December 2007 the Alliance added China’s Flag carrier Air China to the network.

Feng Gang, the president of Shenzhen Airlines said: “Today is filled with joy for all of us at Shenzhen Airlines.

“After 16 months of integration work, we have become a Star Alliance member.

“We know that today no single airline alone can tend to the needs of the international traveller.

“By joining Star Alliance we can now offer our customers global reach, while at the same time placing Shenzhen firmly on the map of world-wide air travel.

“We are proud to proclaim that Shenzhen Airport, serving the 4th largest city in China, is now the newest Star Alliance Hub, from which we will make our mark not only in China, but across the Asia-Pacific region.”

As a Star Alliance member, Shenzhen Airlines offers its customers access to a global network, along with seamless travel and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.