China Southern Airlines Announces Increases Sino-Australian Frequency; China's Largest Airline To Add 4th Weekly Guangzhou-Sydney Flight On 29 March.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2004

China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH) (HKSE: 1055), www.cs-air.com/en, the largest airline in The People's Republic of China, will introduce a fourth weekly flight between Sydney and Guangzhou, China, starting on 29 March.

The newest service, flight CZ 325, will operate every Saturday, departing Sydney at 9:50 a.m. and arriving in Guangzhou at 4:50 p.m., as part of a steady expansion of the airline's Australia -- China flights.

In the new schedule, China Southern flies from Melbourne to Sydney and Guangzhou every Thursday and Sunday morning, and from Sydney every Tuesday and Saturday.

The airline operates Boeing 777 IGW twinjets configured to seat 292 passengers in a three-class cabin -- 18 in Premium Business Class, 65 in Business Class and 207 in Economy Class. Every passenger has a personal video screen and an international direct dial satellite phone.

The airline's Regional Manager Australia, Ms. Annie Ye said, "China Southern is looking to grow to daily service between Australia and China, as commerce and tourism between the two countries continued to grow strongly."

"China is one of the world's fastest growing economies," said Ms Ye. "It is also one of the world's fastest growing tourism destinations and one of the largest sources of tourists and Australia is becoming increasingly popular as a destination to visit."

She added that, "from our hub in Guangzhou, we operate flights to a range of destinations within China, including connections between our Australian flights and onward services to or from cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

"We are continuing to add new aircraft to our modern fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and our capabilities will increase again from late 2004 when the new Guangzhou International Airport opens, providing increased terminal capacity and efficient new passenger and baggage processing systems," added Ms. Ye.

The Sydney increase is part of a broader growth program by China Southern Airlines, which recently has introduced and ordered new Boeing and Airbus airliners and increased flights on other routes including Guangzhou -- Los Angeles.

The largest airline in The People's Republic of China for the past 24 years, China Southern Airlines www.cs-air.com/en connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as international service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

For China Southern Airlines reservations and information, please contact your local travel agent.