Whether the “integrated” seamless travel experience, which Air China has consistently advocated after joining Star Alliance, will play a greater role during the Olympics has always been a concern for the large number of passengers and members of the “big Olympic family.”  On the evening of June 19th, Air China, along with the CAAC (under the Ministry of Transport), Capital Airport Group, Star Alliance headquarters and 13 member airlines operating in Beijing, celebrated the completion of its "Under One Roof" project, thus providing a positive answer to the important question mentioned above.

Over the past three months, since Air China and Star Alliance member airlines relocated to Terminal 3 (T3) of Beijing Capital International Airport, the two parties have actively promoted the "Under One Roof" project, providing consistent service in such areas as the T3 logo, integrating check-in counters, self-service units(SSU), service counters, lounges, boarding gate areas, and luggage facilities.  They have combined strength and hard work to make travel more convenient, especially by shortening transit time.

The CAAC Deputy Director, Yang Guoqing, said that the CAAC encourages Chinese airlines to strengthen cooperation with foreign counterparts by joining air alliances or through other methods, in order to improve operational efficiency, unify service standards and jointly cope with various challenges.Air China and Shanghai Airlines have achieved remarkable results in enhancing passenger service quality and developing product diversification since joining the Star Alliance.  They have become widely recognized by a large number of passengers. On March 26, 2008, 13 Star Alliance member airlines operating in Beijing moved their operations to T3 and started working together for mutual benefit, thus making a substantial contribution to secure air transportation during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.Star Alliance’s “Under One Roof" project and many other similar cooperative activities will help reduce operating costs, improve the level of service, expand route networks and enhance core competitiveness.The CAAC will offer active support in this regard. At the same time, it also would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to Star Alliance member airlines that have provided valuable help in the Sichuan Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts.

According to Kong Dong, General Manager of China National Aviation Holding Company and Chairman of Air China, with the strong support of Star Alliance member airlines, the CAAC and airports, Air China has greatly improved its products and services over the past six months since formally joining Star Alliance on December 12, 2007.  When Air China and the 13 Star Alliance member airlines moved to T3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport, the world's largest single terminal, it marked the completion of the Alliance’s "Under One Roof" project in Beijing. Alliance partners have been making concerted efforts and sharing facilities to create a seamless travel experience for passengers, reflecting the service concept of “integration”. Adhering to the desire to act in the best interest of passengers and Star Alliance partners as well as cutting costs for Star Alliance member airlines, Air China, as a base airline, will continue to innovate and optimize its utilization of airport resources. Together with the Beijing Capital International Airport, Air China is pushing itself to work hard to build a world-class compound aviation hub and thus provide excellent travel service for passengers.

The BCIA (Beijing Capital International Airport) Group General Manager, Zhang Zhizhong, said that the Beijing Capital International Airport is Star Alliance member airlines’ long-term partner in China, as well as the first Chinese airport supporting Star Alliance’s “Under One Roof" strategy.  Since T3 first began operations, the Beijing Capital International Airport has been promoting the “Under One Roof" strategy through advanced facilities and resource integration in strict accordance with the requirements of Star Alliance.  The move also upgraded security at the airport.  Zhang thinks it is a win-win plan.  After T3 began operations, the Beijing Capital International Airport became China's first airport with three terminals, two towers and three runways operating simultaneously.  With an advanced baggage-handling system that meets international standards and industry-leading IT digital airport service in T3, BCIA is confident that it will be able to cooperate with the 13 Star Alliance member airlines, Air China included, to jointly build an important aviation hub in Asia and the world under the vision of Star Alliance.

Star Alliance CEO, Jaan Albrecht, said that through the network coverage and unified service standards of Star Alliance member airlines, passengers will be offered more flight options, more ideal convergence, more streamlined reservation procedures and more coordinated ground service.  Meanwhile, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opens a broader market for Star Alliance member airlines.  Star Alliance hopes it will create greater value for member airlines including Air China and Shanghai Airlines through active efforts.  It is also willing to continuously strengthen cooperation with Beijing, Shanghai, and other airports, to grow and develop together under one roof.

Attachment:

Background Information for the “Under One Roof" Project at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3

On March 26, 2008, 13 Star Alliance member airlines operating in Beijing (Air Canada, Air China, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines), together with Egyptair, which is set to join the Alliance soon, officially moved their operations to T3 at the Beijing Capital International Airport.  This marked the beginning of full operations in the new terminal.  The “Under One Roof" project, which is collectively promoted by Star Alliance member airlines, was successfully launched.

The “Under One Roof" project is designed to shorten transit time and ensure the smooth movement of passengers and baggage through member airlines sharing facilities and cutting costs. After completing “Under One Roof", Alliance partner airlines can jointly promote the development of new products and services, thus creating a seamless travel experience for passengers.

1.T3 Logo: The logo is used to unify and integrate guiding marks along passenger walking lanes, which not only provides the clearest and most direct visual sign to passengers entering the terminal, but also further enhances the brand efficiency of Star Alliance at the Beijing Capital International Airport and in China. The screens at all counters are also arranged and designed in accordance with the unified logo of Star Alliance, bringing a harmonious visual and service experience to our passengers.

2.Spatial Distribution of Check-in Counters: The check-in counters, reservations and ticketing counters and Self Service Units (SSUs) of all Alliance member airlines are concentrated in the same area, making it easier for passengers to identify each counter and go through related procedures. The check-in area for Air China is located in Zones F, J and K.  The check-in area for Air China business and first class passengers is located in Zone H and the check-in area for Star Alliance and other member airlines is located in Zones E and D.

3.SSU: Air China has 21 SSUs in its domestic check-in duty room, all of which are uniformly provided by the Beijing Capital International Airport.  It has 4 SSUs in its international check-in duty room, which provide services for some international flights.  All Nippon Airways and United Airlines use the same SSUs in Zones E and D respectively. The Star Alliance logo is also shown on the screen.

4.Centralized Service Counter: Eight members of the Star Alliance (Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System and Turkish Airlines) share the centralized service counter at check-in island E and D.

5.First-class / Business-Class Lounges: In the domestic First-Class and Business-Class lounges in T3C and international First-class and Business-Class lounges in T3E, Air China provides high standard hardware facilities for business and first class passengers of Star Alliance members.  The unified Star Alliance logo is also shown here.  In the lounges, various services of Star Alliance standards are available.

6.Boarding Gate Area: In line with the position of international First-class and Business-Class lounges in T3E, boarding gates for Star Alliance members are arranged in a centralized area on the west side of T3E for convenience to Star Alliance member passengers.

7.Central Baggage Service Facility (CBSF): Star Alliance members use central baggage service counters (CBSF) uniformly provided by Air China, which not only integrates service and image design style but also makes baggage inquiry more convenient for passengers.

8. Integration of Office Area: Star Alliance's project director, on behalf of all members, has consulted with the Beijing Capital International Airport to integrate 30 office rooms with a total area of 2020 square meters for members in the office space of T3C and T3E. This facilitates communication and collaboration among Star Alliance members.

Global Implementation of Star Alliance “Under One Roof" Project

To date, Star Alliance has been promoting its “Under One Roof” concept across the world:

In Asia – Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) was the first Asian airport to achieve “MuoR (Move Under One Roof),” with the South wing of Terminal 1, completing the project in June 2006. The effort was led by base airline All Nippon Airways and has become known as a model during the “Under One Roof" nearly two years of operation.  In September 2006, the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport was completed, marking the achievement of “Under One Roof" in a Southeast Asia hub.  In 2008, the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Shanghai Pudong International Airport are both working on “Under One Roof".  The Star Alliance member airlines in these two airports, led by Air China and Shanghai Airlines, will respectively complete integration in Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 and Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 2. Closely following their steps, Asiana Airlines is to complete construction in Zone A, Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport with 11 member airlines being involved.

In Europe – London’s Heathrow Airport is to achieve “MuoR” through a step-by-step approach with US Airways (US), Air New Zealand (NZ) and United Airlines (UA) being the first three airlines to move into Terminal 1 in July 2008.  Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss Air, Air Portugal and regional member Croatia Airlines will complete relocation by the end of this year, while the remaining operating members will stay in the current Terminal 3 and start moving after 2012.

In the Americas – The “Under One Roof" project is currently undergoing various stages of development in airports in Mexico City, Miami and Toronto.

In addition, it is expected that the “Under One Roof" project is to be completed in Singapore, Paris, Barcelona, Warsaw, Cairo, Los Angeles, and several other locations this year.