Air China Receives Top Spanish Tourism Award

    
    Recognized for maintaining direct flights between China and Spain




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">BEIJING</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 3, 2010</span> /CNW/ -- Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> yesterday received Spain's highest tourism industry award, the "Plaque for Tourist Merit." Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> is the first foreign airline to receive the award, which is given to organizations and individuals for contributing to the Spanish tourism industry.</p>
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    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101203/CN11650-a)
    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101203/CN11650-b)
    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080625/CNW017LOGO)

    
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<p>The Spanish Minister for Industry, Tourism and Commerce, <span class="xn-person">Miguel Sebastian</span> presented the award on Thursday night in a ceremony held at Madrid's Teatro de la Abadia. "I want to congratulate Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> for their efforts to establish and maintain direct flights between <span class="xn-location">Madrid</span> and <span class="xn-location">Beijing</span>," said the Minister. Sebastian also said that Air China's initiative was important, given that <span class="xn-location">Spain</span> was working to raise the number of Chinese tourists visiting <span class="xn-location">Spain</span> over the next 10 years, with a target of 200,000 in 2012 and up to a million by 2020.</p>
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<p>The presentation of the plaque was accompanied by a video, which congratulated Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> for, "closing the distance between <span class="xn-location">China</span> and <span class="xn-location">Spain</span>," saying it was a "brave proposal that is helping to bring the two countries together."</p>
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<p>Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> is the only carrier operating direct flights from <span class="xn-location">Beijing</span> to <span class="xn-location">Madrid</span>. Opened in 2006, the route currently runs six direct flights a week, a number that's expected to increase in the future.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-person">Mr. Wang Jin</span>'an, Vice Chairman of Commercial Committee, said, "Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> is very honored to receive Spain's highest tourism industry award. We look forward to bringing <span class="xn-location">China</span> and <span class="xn-location">Spain</span> even closer together in the future with more direct flights and new routes."</p>
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    Air China: Carrying China, Spanning the World
    
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<p>Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> is China's only national flag carrier and a <span class="xn-person">Star Alliance</span> member. With a fleet of over 280 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, Air China's 264 routes serve 32 countries and regions. Thanks to the airline's admission to the <span class="xn-person">Star Alliance</span>, Air China's route network, with <span class="xn-location">Beijing</span> as its hub, includes 1,172 destinations in 159 countries. Air <span class="xn-location">China</span> now has over 10 million members in its frequent flyers program.</p>
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    For more information, please visit Air China website www.airchina.com.cn.

    
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    Contact:
    Graham Norris
    Ogilvy PR Worldwide
    [phone]
    E-mail: [email protected]





    

For further information: Graham Norris, Ogilvy PR Worldwide, [phone], [email protected]