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Tupolev (Russian: Ту́полев, IPA: [ˈtupəlʲɪf]) is a Russian aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Basmanny District, Central Administrative Okrug, Moscow.^[1] Known officially as Public Stock Company Tupolev, it is the successor of the Tupolev OKB or Tupolev Design Bureau (OKB-156, design office prefix Tu) headed by the Soviet aerospace engineer A.N. Tupolev. The company celebrated its 80th anniversary on October 22, 2002. The Russian government is planning to merge Tupolev with Mikoyan, Ilyushin, Irkut, Sukhoi, and Yakovlev as a new company named United Aircraft Corporation.^[2]

Introduction[link]

The capabilities of PSC Tupolev include development, manufacturing and overhaul for both civil and military aerospace products such as aircraft and weapons systems. It is also active with missile and naval aviation technologies. More than 18,000 Tupolev aircraft were produced for the USSR and the Eastern Bloc.

History[link]

Tupolev OKB was founded by Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev in 1922. Its facilities are tailored for aeronautics research and aircraft design only, manufacturing is handled by other firms. It researched all-metal airplanes during the 1920s, based directly on the pioneering work already done by Hugo Junkers during World War I.

Tupolev ANT-20 Maxim Gorky, the largest airplane of the 1930s, was used for Stalinist propaganda.

Among its notable results during the period was the heavy bomber, where Tupolev's design approach defined for many years the trends of heavy aircraft development, civil and military.

During World War II, the twin-engined, all-metal Tu-2 was one of the best front-line bombers of the Soviets. Several variants of it were produced in large numbers from 1942. During the war it used wooden rear fuselages due to a shortage of metal.

This was succeeded by the development of the jet-powered Tu-16 bomber, which used a sweptback wing for good subsonic performance.

As turbojets were not fuel efficient enough to provide truly intercontinental range, the Soviets elected to design a new bomber, the Tu-20, more commonly referred to as the Tu-95. It, too, was based on the fuselage and structural design of the Tu-4, but with four colossal Kuznetsov NK-12 turboprop engines providing a unique combination of jet-like speed and long range. It became the definitive Soviet intercontinental bomber, with intercontinental range and jet-like performance. In many respects the Soviet equivalent of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, it served as a strategic bomber and in many alternate roles, including reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.

The Tu-16 was developed into the civil Tu-104, which was for some time the only jet-powered airliner due to the temporary grounding of the De Havilland Comet. The Tu-95 became the basis of the unique Tu-114 medium-to-long-range airliner, the fastest turboprop aircraft ever. One common feature found in many large subsonic Tupolev jet aircraft is large pods extending rearward from the trailing edge of the wings, holding the aircraft's landing gear. These allow the aircraft to have landing gears made up of many large low-pressure tires, which are invaluable for use on the poor quality runways that were common in the Soviet Union at the time. For example the Tu-154 airliner, the Soviet equivalent of the Boeing 727, has 14 tyres, the same number as Boeing's far larger 777-200.

Even before the first flights of the Tu-16 and Tu-20/Tu-95, Tupolev was working on supersonic bombers, culminating in the unsuccessful Tu-98. Although that aircraft never entered service, it became the basis for the prototype Tu-102 (later developed into the Tu-28 interceptor) and the Tu-105, which evolved into the supersonic Tu-22 bomber in the mid-1960s. Intended as a counterpart to the Convair B-58 Hustler, the Tu-22 proved rather less capable, although it remained in service much longer than the American aircraft. Meanwhile the "K" Department was formed in the Design Bureau, with the task of designing unmanned aircraft such as the Tu-139 and the Tu-143 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

Tu-144 supersonic airliner

In the 1960s A. N. Tupolev's son, A. A. Tupolev, became active with management of the agency. His role included the development of the world's first supersonic airliner, the Tu-144, the popular Tu-154 airliner and the Tupolev Tu-22M strategic bomber. All these developments enabled the Soviet Union to achieve strategic military and civil aviation parity with the West.

In the 1970s, Tupolev concentrated its efforts on improving the performance of the Tu-22M bombers, whose variants included maritime versions. It is the presence of these bombers in quantity that brought about the SALT I and SALT II treaties. Also the efficiency and performance of the Tu-154 was improved, culminating in the efficient Tu-154M.

In the 1980s the design bureau developed the supersonic Tu-160 strategic bomber. Features include variable-geometry wings.

Post Soviet Era[link]

With the end of the Cold War, research work was concentrated on subsonic civil aircraft, mainly on operating economics and alternative fuels. The developments include fly-by-wire, use of efficient high-bypass turbofans and advanced aerodynamic layouts for the 21st century transport aircraft such as the Tu-204/Tu-214, Tu-330 and Tu-334.

Among current Tupolev projects:

• further development of Tu-204/214 and TU-334 aircraft family
• development of cargo aircraft Tu-330, regional and executive Tu-324 aircraft
• research on practical aspects of aircraft operation using alternative fuels
• modernization of Russian Naval Aviation and Air Force

On 19 August 2009, Tupolev announced that it had a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry to develop a new-generation strategic bomber which "will be a conceptually new plane based on the most advanced technologies".^[3]

Directors[link]

• Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev was a leading designer at the Moscow-based Central Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) from 1929 until his death in 1972. This design bureau produced mostly bombers and airliners.
• Alexei Andreyevich Tupolev, son of Andrei Tupolev, was also a famous aircraft designer. His most famous design was the supersonic airliner Tupolev Tu-144. He managed Tupolev until his death in 2001.

Tupolev aircraft[link]

Many designs were developed by the design bureau. Those in production series may manufacture as many as 4,500 units as for the Tu-2. However many are also dead-ends or experimental, with as little as a single copy being produced. They were terminated by changing military or political situations. Many of these experimental variants enabled series production versions.

Early piston-powered[link]

• ANT-1: The first aircraft by A.N.T. and the first Soviet-built aircraft. Mixed materials design. The work started in 1921. Assembly began in 1922. The tests were cancelled due to engine malfunction.
• ANT-2: Two passenger aircraft. The first Soviet all-metal aircraft, 1924.
• ANT-3/R-3: All-metal two-seats recce biplane, 1925. About 100 were built.
• ANT-3 Pervenets: torpedo boat (not an aircraft!). It was put afloat 14 March 1928.
• ANT-4/TB-1: All-metal twin-engined (M-17B) monoplane heavy bomber, 1925. There were 212 aircraft built. There was a G-1 cargo version.
• ANT-5/I-4: Prototype of I-4 fighter. The first aircraft designed by Pavel Sukhoi, 1927. 369 were built. I-4 was in service in 1928-1933.
• ANT-6/TB-3: Four-engine development of TB-1, 1930. There was a G-2 cargo version.
• ANT-7/R-6/KR-6/MR-6: Development of TB-1 as reconnaissance (R-6), "cruiser" (escort fighter, KR-6), and maritime patrol/torpedo bomber (MR-6), 1931.
• ANT-8/MDR-2: Maritime long range recce flying boat, 1931.
• ANT-9/PS-9: Three-engined passenger airliner, 1929.
• ANT-10/R-7: Reconnaissance/light bomber aircraft prototype, 1930.
• ANT-11/MTBT: Twin-hulled flying boat project, 1929.
• ANT-12/I-5: Biplane fighter prototype, 1930. Later built as Polikarpov I-5.
• ANT-13/I-8: Fighter/interceptor prototype, developed from ANT-12, 1930.
• ANT-14 Pravda: Large five-engined propaganda monoplane developed from the ANT-9, 1931.
• ANT-15/DI-3: Two-seat fighter project, 1930.
• ANT-16/TB-4: Six-engine version of TB-3, predecessor of ANT-20, 1933.
• ANT-17/TSh-1: Twin-engine biplane ground attack aircraft, development of ANT-7, 1930.
• ANT-19: Passenger airliner project.
• ANT-20 Maxim Gorky: Eight-engine huge cargo/propaganda aircraft, 1934.
• ANT-21/MI-3: Multiseat fighter. Development of R-6, 1933.
• ANT-22/MK-1: Armoured six-engine recce flying boat, development of ANT-11, 1934.
• ANT-23/I-12: Experimental twin-engined fighter equipped with two recoilless 75mm cannons, 1931.
• ANT-24/TB-4: Four-engined heavy bomber prototype developed from ANT-16, precursor of ANT-26, 1931.
• ANT-25: Single engine monoplane long range bomber. Designed by Pavel Sukhoi. ANT-25RD (RD for "Rekord Dalnosty", i.e. "Range Record") was used in a record flight from Moscow to San Jacinto, California, USA over the North Pole—10,148 km, 1933 (one was built in 1989).
• ANT-26/TB-6: 12-engined heavy-bomber aircraft project.
• ANT-27/MDR-4/MTB-1: Patrol flying-boat for the Soviet Navy, 1934.
• ANT-28: Cargo version of ANT-26.
• ANT-29/DIP-1: Twin-engined fighter. Development of ANT-21, 1935.
• ANT-30/SK-1: Twin-engine escort fighter/high-speed bomber aircraft, developed from the R-6 and MI-3, 1933.
• ANT-31/I-14: All metal monoplane fighter, 1935.
• ANT-32/I-13: Single-seat fighter project.
• ANT-33: Passenger airliner project.
• ANT-34/MI-4: Multi-seat fighter project.
• ANT-35/PS-35: Twin-engined passenger transport aircraft developed from the SB, 1936.
• ANT-36/DB-1: Long-range bomber developed from the ANT-25, 1936.
• ANT-37/DB-2: Long-range bomber based on the DB-1, 1935.
• ANT-38/VSB-1: High-altitude high-speed bomber project.
• ANT-40/SB/PS-40/PS-41: Medium bomber, also erroneously known as SB-2, 1934.
• ANT-41/T-1/LK-1: Twin-engine high speed multirole aircraft, 1934.
• ANT-42/TB-7: Four-engined heavy bomber prototype, 1934. Later built as Petlyakov Pe-8.
• ANT-43: Passenger airliner project.
• ANT-44/MTB-2: Heavy-bomber flying-boat, 1937.
• ANT-45/DIP: Two-seat cannon armed fighter project, 1936.
• ANT-46/DI-8: Three-seat fighter prototype, developed from the SB, 1935.
• ANT-47/I-20: Fighter project.
• ANT-48/SS: Sport aircraft project, 1935.
• ANT-49: Reconnaissance aircraft project, developed from the SB.
• ANT-50: Proposed airliner, 1937.
• ANT-51: Short-range bomber prototype, 1937. Later built as Sukhoi Su-2.
• ANT-53: Proposed four-engined airliner, 1936.
• ANT-56/SRB: High-speed reconnaissance/bomber project.
• ANT-57/PB: High-altitude heavy dive bomber project, 1939.
• Tu-2 (ANT-58/ANT-61) "Bat": Medium bomber, 1939.
• Tu-4 "Bull": copied from seized Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. Initial name is B-4 (the A.N.T. want not give his name to the aircraft designed outside of his OKB), 1947.
• Tu-10 (ANT-68): General-purpose bomber prototype, developed from the Tu-2.

Experimental aircraft[link]

• Tu-1 (ANT-63P): prototype night-fighter variant of the Tu-2, 1946
• Tu-6 (ANT-64): prototype reconnaissance variant of the Tu-2
• Tu-8 (ANT-69): prototype long-range bomber variant of the Tu-2
• Tu-12 (also known as the Tu-77): medium bomber prototype, developed from the Tu-2, 1947
• Tu-54: prototype agricultural aircraft, 1992
• Tu-70 "Cart": prototype airliner variant of the Tu-4, 1946
• Tu-72: prototype jet bomber
• Tu-73: three-engined development of the Tu-72, 1947
• Tu-74 (also known as the Tu-73R): proposed reconnaissance variant of the Tu-73
• Tu-75: prototype cargo/transport variant of the Tu-4, 1950
• Tu-78:
• Tu-79: prototype long-range reconnaissance variant of the Tu-73
• Tu-80: prototype long-range variant of the Tu-4, predecessor of Tu-85, 1949
• Tu-82 "Butcher": experimental swept-wing jet bomber, 1949
• Tu-85 "Barge": prototype strategic bomber variant of the Tu-4, 1951
• Tu-86: jet bomber project
• Tu-91 "Boot": prototype naval attack aircraft, 1954
• Tu-93:
• Tu-95LAL: prototype nuclear reactor-powered aircraft based on the Tu-95M, 1961
• Tu-96: prototype long-range intercontinental high altitude strategic bomber variant of the Tu-95, 1955
• Tu-98 "Backfin": prototype swept-wing jet bomber, 1956
• Tu-99: turbojet version of Tu-95
• Tu-100: proposed parasite fighter, 1954
• Tu-101: assault transport project, 1952
• Tu-102: development test variant of the Tu-28, 1959
• Tu-103: improved Tu-16
• Tu-105: initial prototype of the Tu-22, 1954
• Tu-106: a re-engined Tu-22, 1954
• Tu-107: prototype military transport variant of the Tu-104
• Tu-108: proposed long-range carrier aircraft, 1952
• Tu-109: a re-engined Tu-108
• Tu-110 "Cooker": prototype long-range airliner developed from the Tu-104, 1957
• Tu-111: 24-seat airliner project, 1952
• Tu-112: proposed supersonic tactical bomber, 1955
• Tu-114: prototype airliner variant of the Tu-95, entered production
• Tu-115 (also known as Tu-114VTA): proposed military transport version of the Tu-114
• Tu-116: two Tu-95's fitted with passenger cabins, 1957
• Tu-117: proposed military transport version of the Tu-110
• Tu-118: turboprop version of Tu-117
• Tu-119: prototype nuclear and kerosene powered version of the Tu-95LAL
• Tu-120: proposed nuclear powered supersonic bomber
• Tu-122: supersonic bomber project based on Tu-98, 1957
• Tu-125: proposed medium-range supersonic bomber, 1958
• Tu-127 (I): proposed supersonic tactical bomber, 1958
• Tu-127 (II): proposed military cargo version of Tu-124
• Tu-129: supersonic bomber project, 1959
• Tu-132: proposed low-altitude transonic bomber, 1958
• Tu-136 Zvezda: proposed spaceplane
• Tu-136 (II): VTOL fighter project, 1963
• Tu-136 (III): airliner/freighter project
• Tu-137 Sputnik: unmanned spaceplane project
• Tu-137 (II): supersonic strategic bomber project
• Tu-138: proposed long-range supersonic interceptor of the Tu-28
• Tu-148: proposed long-range patrol interceptor of the Tu-28
• Tu-155: a Tu-154 converted into a testbed for alternative fuels, 1988
• Tu-156: a re-engined Tu-155
• Tu-164: short-haul airliner concept
• Tu-184: short-haul airliner concept
• Tu-206: a Tu-204 converted into a testbed for alternative fuels
• Tu-216:
• Tu-244: SST concept developed from the Tu-144, 1979
• Tu-334: a short haul jet airliner concept, 1999
• Tu-2000: proposed long-range heavy bomber, 1986

Bombers and other military types[link]

Tu-160, the last of the Soviet bombers

• Tu-14 "Bosun" (also known as the Tu-81) torpedo bomber
• Tu-16 "Badger" strategic bomber
• Tu-20/Tu-95 "Bear" long-range strategic bomber and modifications
  • Tu-142 "Bear F/Bear J", anti-submarine/reconnaissance
• Tu-22 "Blinder" supersonic medium bomber
• Tu-22M/Tu-26 "Backfire" supersonic swing-wing long range/maritime strike bomber
• Tu-126 "Moss" airborne early warning (AEW) and control aircraft variant of the Tu-114
• Tu-160 "Blackjack" supersonic swing-wing bomber

Interceptors[link]

• Tu-28/Tu-128 "Fiddler"

Airliners/transport[link]

Tupolev Tu-154M.

• Tu-104 "Camel" medium-range airliner developed from the Tu-16
• Tu-114 Rossiya "Cleat" long range airliner developed from the Tu-95
• Tu-124 "Cookpot" a short haul jet airliner developed from the Tu-104
• Tu-134 "Crusty" a rear engine evolution of the Tu-124
• Tu-144 "Charger" a supersonic airliner similar to Concorde
• Tu-154 "Careless" a medium range narrow-body jet airliner
• Tu-204 a medium range narrow-body jet airliner
• Tu-214, Tu-204-200's built at a different factory

Unmanned aircraft[link]

• Tu-121C
• Tu-123 Yastreb-1
• Tu-139 Yastreb-2, reusable version of the Tu-123
• Tu-141 Strizh
• Tu-143 Reis
• Tu-243 Reis-D, improved version of the Tu-143
• Tu-300 Korshun, modernized version of the Tu-143, 1995

Planned aircraft[link]

• PAK DA: next generation strategic bomber based on the Tu-160
• Tu-324: a regional airliner concept
• Tu-330: medium transport aircraft based on the Tu-204/Tu-214
• Tu-344: a supersonic business jet concept based on the Tu-22M3
• Tu-404: a long-range extra large airliner concept
• Tu-414: a stretched Tu-324
• Tu-444: a supersonic business jet concept

Aerosledge[link]

• Tupolev A-3 Aerosledge

See also[link]

	Russia portal
	Companies portal
	Aviation portal

• List of aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tupolev

• Tupolev company website
• Tupolev company website (Russian)

China Southern Airlines (simplified Chinese: 中国南方航空公司; traditional Chinese: 中國南方航空公司) (SSE: 600029, SEHK: 1055, NYSE: ZNH) is an airline headquartered in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.^[1][2][3] It is the world's sixth-largest airline measured by passengers carried, and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried. It is also the fourth-largest airline in the world in domestic passenger traffic and the sixth-largest in scheduled domestic passenger-kilometres flown^{[citation needed]}. From its main hubs at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, the airline flies to 121 destinations using a fleet of 422 aircraft.

China Southern Airlines was established on 1 July 1988 following the restructuring of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Since then, the airline acquired and merged with a number of domestic airlines, becoming one of China's "Big Three" airlines (alongside Air China and China Eastern Airlines).^[4] China Southern Airlines is a member of SkyTeam.^[5] The airlines's logo is a red kapok on a blue vertical tail fin.

In 2010, China Southern Airlines carried 76.5 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 79.2%. The airline reported a net profit of CNY5.8 billion ($883 million) in 2010.^[6]

History and development[link]

China Southern Airlines Airbus A321

China Southern Airlines was established in 1988, following the government's decision to split the operating divisions of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) into separate airlines.^[7] The CAAC was restructured in late 1984 and divided into four major airlines,^[8] among which was China Southern Airlines, which became a separate identity on 1 July 1988.^[8] with operations starting in 1989. Although controlled by the CAAC, China Southern quickly established relationships with Western companies; in 1990, it launched a maintenance joint-venture with Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa and Lockheed called Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co. (GAMECO).^[8] During 1991, six million passengers were carried, and with 38 Boeing jet airliners, China Southern was serving 90 domestic cities and 17 international destinations.^[8] In 1992, the airline raised US$537 million in revenue, and posted a $102 million profits; on 17 December 1992, China Southern also signed an order for six Boeing 777s, split between four standard −200 series and two longer-range −200ERs.^[9] China Southern, along with a number of Chinese airlines, was granted financial independence during the year, with a resultant drawback being the purchase of fuel and airport fees.^[8]

Foreign investments[link]

In 1994, the Chinese government opened the possibility foreign investments in its airlines; China Southern and United Airlines quickly started talks on the matter. To raise its operating standards and distance itself from mostly unprofitable second- and third-tiers domestic airlines, the carrier signed agreements with a number of U.S. carriers regarding staff training and aircraft maintenance, with the ultimate aim of being listed on the New York Stock Exchange.^[8] Revenue for the year doubled, although profits did not increase significantly due to the costs associated with the airline's growth.^[8]

The first of the six Boeing 777s arrived on 28 December 1995,^[9] making China Southern Airlines the first Asian carrier to operate the type.^[8] Its first long-haul route, Guangzhou–Beijing–Amsterdam, was launched in 1996.^[10] The following year, China Southern was the first to place its Boeing 777s into non-stop services across the Pacific Ocean, connecting Guangzhou and Los Angeles. Three years later, Boeing 777's were deployed to Sydney and Melbourne.^[10] Despite the airline's effort on raising international capacity from the start, domestic traffic made up 80% of the airline's revenue.^[8] As a result, it signed a codeshare agreement during the mid-1990s to further increase international traffic.

In order to keep pace with fast developments, China Southern Airlines entered the capital market to optimise its financial structure. The airline is successfully listed on the Hong Kong and New York Stock Exchanges in July 1997, raising $600–$700 million.^[8] It followed up in 2003 at the Shanghai Stock Exchange.^[11]

Mergers and acquisitions[link]

In July 2000, the CAAC announced that the ten airlines under its direct management will be merged into three airline groups, revolving around Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern itself.^[12] On 4 August, China Southern absorbed Zhongyuan Airlines. The following year it acquire China Northern Airlines and China Xinjiang Airlines.^[13] In 2004, the merger was completed. As a result, China Southern Airlines became one of the "Big Three" carriers in the country. Since then, it has successively took over shareholding stocks and joined the equity in numerous Chinese carriers. The airline is the major shareholder of Xiamen Airlines (51%) and Chongqing Airlines (60%). It also invests in Sichuan Airlines.

On 29 September 2003, the airline placed an order with Airbus for 4 Trent 700-powered Airbus A330-200s, to be delivered from 2005. This was part of the order placed in April by the China Aviation Supplies Imp. & Exp. Group covering 30 aircraft.^[14] The first example was delivered on 28 February 2005,^[15] thereby giving China Southern the title of the first mainland Chinese A330 operator. One month earlier, on 28 January 2005, the airline placed a commitment order for 5 Airbus A380-800s, becoming the first Chinese airline to so, with delivery in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Ironically, PRC officials also placed an order for 60 7E7s on the same day for six airlines.^[16] The aircraft would be delivered between 2008 and 2010.^[17] However, due to delivery delays, the aircraft was not delivered in time for the Olympics and as of May 2010, the first of the aircraft are scheduled to arrive sometime in 2011. Boeing used the event to official designate the aircraft the Boeing 787.

On the same day, a China Southern Airlines Boeing 777–200 originating from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport landed in Taipei, becoming the first mainland Chinese to land in the Republic of China since 1949,^[18] when the Kuomintang were involved in the war with the Communist Party of China. The flight carried 234 passengers home after the Lunar New Year. Within three years, in July 2008, a China Southern Airlines Airbus A330 carrying 230 tourists^[19] again landed in Taipei.^[20] The governments of the two countries agreed to allow directs flights between the countries in June, ending six-decades of limited air travel between the two Chinas. Following the flight, China Southern Airlines Chairman and pilot of the flight, Liu Shaoyong,^[19][20] said, "From today onward, regular commercial flights will replace the rumbling warplanes over the skies of the Taiwan Strait, and relations between the two sides will become better and better.^[19] "

On 6 September 2005, China Southern Airlines along with CASGC placed an order for a further 10 Airbus A330 wide-body airliners: 8 A330-300s and 2 A330-200s. Aircraft deliveries were due to begin in December 2007 and continue through 2008.^[21] It followed up with another Airbus order on 7 July 2006, when it confirmed a deal covering the purchase of 50 more A320 narrowbodies for delivery from 2009.^[22] The order included 13 A319-100s, 20 A320-200s and 17 A321-200s, reportedly worth $3.3 billion at list price.^[23] In December 2005, China Southern Airlines along with CASGC, announced an order with Boeing for 9 Boeing 737-700s and 11 Boeing 737-800s.

Recent developments[link]

In June 2006, China Southern Airlines confirmed another order of 3 Boeing 737-700s and 7 Boeing 737-800s. The deliveries would continue through 2010.^[24] On 18 October 2006, China Southern Airlines placed an order for 6 Boeing 777 freighters, striding forward a brand new step in its cargo development.^[25] The aircraft would be delivered from November 2008 to July 2010.

On 20 August 2007, China Southern Airlines announced its intention for an order of 25 Boeing 737-700s and 30 Boeing 737-800s, which will be delivered from May 2011 to October 2013.^[26] It was a mere two months before, on 23 October 2007, China Southern Airlines announced that it had placed an order for 10 additional Airbus A330-200s. The order has a listed price of US$1.677 billion and the aircraft will be delivered from March 2010 to August 2012.^[27]

On 21 January 2010, China Southern announced an order for an additional 20 A320-200s scheduled for delivery from 2011 – 2013 due to the falling fuel costs and surging passenger demand.^[28]

In March, the Chinese carrier issued new shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai 2010 to raise 10.75 billion yuan^[29] ($1.57 billion) in a bid to pay off outstanding loans.^[30] In December, CNY810 million ($121.5 million) was injected by China Southern Airlines into its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines to fund its fleet expansion.^[31]

In November 2010, China Southern Airlines signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of six A330s and 30 A320s–200. The specific variant of A330 is not identified.^[32]

On 11 January 2011, China Southern announced a lease for 10 Embraer E-190 to be delivered from the second half of 2011.

On 27 January 2011, China Southern was awarded the four star ranking by Skytrax. It is currently the largest 4 star airline to hold this title.^[33]

On 15 June 2011 China Southern made its inaugural flight to Vancouver, Canada opening up a new passenger and trade routes including China Southern Cargo's first flight on on 5 July 2011.

On 17 October 2011, China Southern made its first flight with the Airbus A380.

Destinations[link]

China Southern Airlines flies to 169 countries worldwide, including code-share destinations.^[11] It maintains a strong presence in the domestic market, with its main hubs being Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, along with other focus cities in Changchun, Changsha, Dalian, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Ürümqi, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. The airline plans to develop Chongqing and Ürümqi as hubs as well to exploit the domestic market potential.^[34]

The airline provides services to 65 international destinations. Most of the international flights link between Guangzhou and world cities. There are also plenty of international flights operated through Beijing, Urumqi (notably to Central Asia) and Dalian (to Japan, South Korea, and Russia). China Southern Airlines has developed an extensive network to Southeast Asia and also has become the Chinese airline with the largest presence in Australia.^[35]

Alliance[link]

On 28 August 2004, China Southern Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the airline alliance SkyTeam. On 15 November 2007, the airline was officially welcomed as the 11th member of SkyTeam, becoming the first mainland Chinese airline to join the global airline alliance,^[36] expanding the alliance's presence on mainland China.

Codeshare agreements[link]

The airline has also codeshare agreements with the following airlines (besides SkyTeam members):^[35]

Fleet[link]

A China Southern Airlines Airbus A330-200 at Schiphol Airport. (2011)

A China Southern Airlines Airbus A320-200 at Beijing Capital Airport. (2011)

China Southern Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of November 2011):

Cargo[link]

China Southern Cargo Boeing 777F landing at Frankfurt Airport (2010)

China Southern Cargo Boeing 747-400F at Amsterdam Airport.

China Southern Cargo is the cargo subsidiary of China Southern Airlines. The cargo airline provides services between mainland China and North America, Europe, and Australia, where destinations such as Amsterdam, Anchorage, Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Vienna are served from its main hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, with cargo flights to Amsterdam and Milan from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The cargo subsidiary has joined the SkyTeam Cargo alliance in November 2010.^[38]

Services[link]

Cabins[link]

China Southern Airlines offers Premium First Class on select flights, such as on the Beijing Capital International Airport- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport route. This cabin offers more amenities and is more spacious than Regular First Class.

Premium Economy class

China Southern offers Premium Economy class, which is more spacious than Economy class. The seats are 35–37 inches (89–94 cm), compared to 31 inches (79 cm) in Economy.^[40]

Sky Pearl Club[link]

China Southern Airlines's frequent-flyer program is called Sky Pearl Club (simplified Chinese: 明珠俱乐部; traditional Chinese: 明珠俱樂部). The Sky Pearl Club allows its members earn FFP mileage not only flying China Southern domestic segments but also on flights of other SkyTeam member airlines within the SkyTeam global network. Moreover, The Sky Pearl Club members can 'earn and burn' mileage on the partnered Sichuan Airlines and China Airlines' flights. The mileage earned on the above mentioned flights can be counted into Elite Qualifying Mileages (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS), enabling quick access to SkyTeam elite status. Membership of Sky Pearl Club can be divided into two tiers: Sky Pearl Gold Card and Sky Pearl Silver Card.^[41]

Incidents and accidents[link]

• On 2 October 1990, a hijacked Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 crashed into a China Southern Airlines Boeing 757, killing 128 people from both aircraft. See Guangzhou Baiyun aircraft collision
• On 24 November 1992, Flight 3943, a Boeing 737 jetliner (Registered B-2523), crashed into a hill near Guilin, Guangxi, killing all 141 on board, due to an engine thrust malfunction.^[42][43]
• On 8 May 1997, Flight 3456, a Boeing 737–300 jetliner (registered B-2925), crashed on approach into Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport killing 35, with 9 injured.^[44]
• On 22 August 2006, flight CZ325 from Guangzhou, China to Sydney, Australia had to be turned back to Guangzhou after a note had been found indicating a bomb was on board. The plane was returned to Guangzhou after one hour into the flight. Passengers were interviewed by police for two hours after landing, after which they were allowed back onto the plane to resume their journey. A 39-year-old Australian businessman of Hong Kong origin was arrested after Chinese police matched his handwriting with that of the threatening note found in the lavatory. He was alleged to have told police that he had made the threat because he was lovesick and suffering from depression over a failed relationship, the Xinhua news agency was quoted as saying.^[45][46]
• On 7 March 2008, an attempt to hijack and crash a flight en route to Beijing from Urumqi was averted when the crew found a 19 year old Turkic woman trying to spill gasoline in the toilet. The pilot made an emergency landing at Lanzhou Airport and two passengers were arrested.^[47]

See also[link]

	Aviation portal
	Companies portal
	People's Republic of China portal

• Aviation
• Aviation industry in the People's Republic of China
• List of airlines of the People's Republic of China
• List of airports in the People's Republic of China
• List of companies of the People's Republic of China
• Transportation in the People's Republic of China

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: China Southern Airlines

• China Southern Airlines Global Website
• China Southern Airlines

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