Air China and Shanghai Airlines sign up to join the Star Alliance in Beijing on December 12, 2007. [Photo: Xinhua]

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Air China and Shanghai Airlines joined the Star Alliance, the oldest and largest airline alliance in the world, on Wednesday.

There was a ceremony held in the new Terminal Three, which will open to passengers in March 2008, at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

With the two new members, Star Alliance has 19 member carriers operating 17,000 daily flights to 897 destinations in 160 countries.

Air China and Shanghai Airlines alone have added more than 40 new domestic destinations to the network.

Air China chairman Li Jiaxiang said, "By becoming a member, Air China is set to undergo many years of strategic cooperation with a large group of the world's leading airlines."

Shanghai Airlines chairman Zhou Chi said they were very excited since "Shanghai Airlines can reach more places around the world and deliver higher quality services and more rewards to its customers."

In order to provide better interconnection between international flights and domestic destinations in China, Air China, Shanghai Airlines and other Star Alliance member carriers are working together to improve the two key airports in China -- Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong Airport.

Terminal Two in Shanghai Pudong Airport will also open in March 2008 and permit all Star Alliance members to operate from the new terminal.