Xiamen Air and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, both members of the Sky Team Alliance, signed an agreement on Jan 15 in Xiamen to boost further cooperation in code-sharing, personnel exchange, engine maintenance and flight food.
The two airlines' cooperation on code sharing started in 2012 and the new pact will enable Xiamen Air and KLM to operate code-share flights on 32 European routes, 4 in South Africa and 36 in China.
Code-sharing is an arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight. Seats on one carrier's flights can be sold by another airline.
KLM helped Xiamen Air to join the Sky Team, a global alliance of 20 airlines, and supported the launch of its first intercontinental route to Amsterdam.
Under the pact, KLM will also provide Xiamen Air with high-quality engine maintenance service.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
