Lot’s of questions connected with further development were discussed.

Air China and China Eastern top manager’s meeting was held in Shanghai on December 20. Lot’s of questions connected with further development were discussed. Not long ago Air China and China Eastern became partners in Star Alliance.

During the meeting it was announced that China Eastern Airlines failed to win a gesture of support from its rival and shareholder Air China for a stake sale to Singapore Airlines Ltd.

China Eastern Chairman Li Fenghua and President Cao Jianxiong on meeting tried to explain to Air China counterparts Li Jiaxiang and Cai Jianjiang the significance of the planned China Eastern alliance with Singapore Airlines.

However, Air China did not express support for the deal. China Eastern has agreed to sell a 24 percent stake to Singapore Airlines and its parent Temasek Holdings for US$920 million. The deal needs approval from shareholders at a meeting on Jan. 8. Air China, whose parent owns 12.07 percent of China Eastern, and Cathay Pacific have said they were also interested in buying into China Eastern in order to block the Singapore Airlines deal.

Although the airlines ultimately abandoned that effort, Air China said last month it was leaving its options open.