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China Eastern to join hands with Alibaba: report
BEIJING, Jun 26, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) --
China Eastern Airlines (CEA.NYSE;
0670.HK; 600115.SH) is reported to have adopted Alipay as its online
settlement tool to raise its competitive power in e-ticketing.
According to Beijing Business Today, the airline and Alibaba have
signed a contract and will launch the online payment platform within
the year.
Such online travel agents as Ctrip (CTRP.NASDAQ) and eLong
(LONG.NASDAQ) rapidly consolidate their market position on
e-ticketing, attracting traditional travel agents rushing to use
e-commerce methods.
However, airline companies in China are still slow in e-commerce.
Air ticket booking via airlines' websites accounted for just 3.5-4
percent of the total online booking amount.
Market hearsay goes that Air China (601111.SH) and China Southern
Airlines (ZNH.NYSE; 01055.HK; 600029.SH) will also start cooperation
with Alibaba by year end to boost online sales via their own channel
rather than through agents, cut costs and improve profitability.
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