China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines is one of China's major state-owned carriers. The airline is currently newsworthy due to its involvement with China's domestically produced C919 aircraft. Specifically, China Southern is undertaking critical 'C-checks' on these planes, a rigorous maintenance phase that is also being observed by European aviation regulators. The successful completion of these checks is crucial for demonstrating the C919's long-term airworthiness to international bodies. Furthermore, China Southern Airlines is significantly expanding its flight offerings to Europe. The airline, along with other Chinese carriers, is adding nearly 2,900 flights to Europe for the summer schedule. This expansion is facilitated by their ability to fly directly through Russian airspace, a route that Western airlines often cannot use due to geopolitical reasons. This advantage allows Chinese airlines to offer more competitive flight times and potentially lower costs on Europe-China routes, making them increasingly relevant in the global aviation market.