Written by: Dian Qian Photographed by: Xu Jiechen, Huang Dakang and Qin Wei

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, one of the country’s top-three carriers, was culled as the‘designated airline for the Shanghai World Expo in 2005’on June 1 this year by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, which marks the full participation of the airline in the preparation and brand promotion of the Shanghai World Expo. Needless to say, China Eastern Airlines is well positioned to fly farther and higher on the back of the upcoming Shanghai World Expo. Despite his quite tight schedule, Mr. Luo Chaogeng, CEO of China Eastern Airlines, still managed to give an interview with the correspondent of Expo 2010 Shanghai. Below is a short transcript of the interview.

Q: As the designated partner for Expo 2005 Shanghai, have you made any plan to cooperate with the preparatory efforts of the Expo Shanghai?

A: Shanghai is to host the World Expo, and China Eastern Airlines has always been actively involved in the preparatory efforts for the Expo. At the request of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, our company has set up special ticket service counters for the Expo Shanghai to meet the air travel needs during the preparation of the World Expo. We have also provided a‘green channel’for cargo transportation for people working for the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, giving them priority in late ticket purchasing, and helping them arrange convenient flights in accordance with the tour agenda of the coordination bureau. In addition, we have also provided free promotional and advertising space in our media network, including the Orient Sky magazine, the Orient Sky Weekly, our corporate website, as well as in-flight TV programs. The Expo 2010 Shanghai magazine and other publicity brochures are also available in our flights, the airport VIP restroom, and our service counters in various places.

Q: The Shanghai Municipal government has recently launched a culture education program for the upcoming World Expo, with the‘2005 International Aviation Service Culture Contest’being one of its key events. How will your company take part in this event?

A: China Eastern Airlines has donated 100 aircraft models for the‘2005 International Aviation Service Culture Contest’, which kicked off on April 11. Our company is also the sponsor for the‘Wedding Ceremony in the Air’event, which was held in Mid-September. We have provided free tickets for the participants, and the pilot of the flight officiated as the chief witness to the wedding ceremony.

Q: Major airline companies at home and abroad have been racing to offer passengers various special services against the backdrop of intensified competition, such as the adjustment of the width of chairs in business cabins and other measures to make passengers feel as comfortable as possible, and the improvement of the flavors of inflight meal. Much of their service focuses upon passengers buying first-class and business-class tickets, and some carriers, for another example, has been trying to provide office services for passengers. Could you tell our audience what are your competitive advantages and how to enhance your competitiveness?

A: First and foremost, we should make sure the safety of the flights. Safety is the most fundamental service and the most fundamental need of our passengers. Secondly, we will continue to enhance the quality of our services so that travelers can enjoy the safe, comfortable, fast, and punctual services of China Eastern Airlines. Competitiveness boils down to the corporate image and the service products for our passengers. We should build up our service brands, develop more service products in line with the needs of our passengers, and improve our service quality so as to make China Eastern Airlines the primary choice for passengers.

Photos:

1. Luo Chaogeng, CEO of China Eastern Airlines takes an interview with Expo 2010 Shanghai.

2. Mr. Luo sent“cooling gifts”to grass root workers during an inspection tour.

3. Flight simulators of China Eastern Airlines.

4. Fleet of china Eastern Airlines.

5. Careful check-up and maintenance is the necessary safeguard measure for flight safety.

6. Beverages provided on the flights of China Eastern Airlines.

7. A rich variety of inflight meals.

8. Hospital onboard services.