Air China

In 1988, the landscape of Chinese aviation was set for a dramatic shift. The Chinese government decided to restructure its aviation arm, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), splitting it into six independent airlines. From this pivotal decision, Air China was established on July 1, 1988. It was not born from a garage, but from a strategic government mandate, tasked initially with the crucial role of handling all intercontinental flights, inheriting the nation's long-haul fleet of Boeing aircraft. The early 2000s marked a period of significant consolidation. In 2002, Air China merged with China Southwest Airlines, a move that substantially increased its fleet and assets, creating a more formidable domestic player. This set the stage for a major milestone. On December 15, 2004, Air China Limited went public, listing its shares on the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and London. This IPO signaled a new era of global engagement and provided capital for further expansion. By 2007, the airline had solidified its international presence by joining the Star Alliance, a global network of major airlines. This integration further connected China with the rest of the world. The company's growth continued, not just in passenger transport, but also in freight. Its subsidiary, Air China Cargo, grew to be a significant player, culminating in its own successful IPO on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Today, Air China stands as the national flag carrier, a direct result of a government vision that transformed the country's aviation industry.