Shenzhen is aiming to attract more direct international flights to the city by providing incentives to foreign airlines, said Vice Mayor Zhang Siping on Thursday, when he met a delegation comprising representatives of six international carriers.

The airlines were Lufthansa German Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Asian Airlines, which are members of a worldwide air service network Star Alliance. These carriers, barring Singapore Airlines, are yet to launch direct flights to Shenzhen.

"Shenzhen is open to any possible cooperation with foreign airlines. The government would like to set up a platform for smooth communications between two sides, as the first step," Zhang said.

"Conditions for foreign airlines to enter the Shenzhen market are favorable, since it has a considerably large number of international travelers, and the airport also provides quality services and up-to-standard infrastructure. Foreign airlines should not miss the opportunity to tap the Shenzhen market," he said.

"The Shenzhen airport is upgrading is infrastructure by building its second runway. In three years, the airport's handling capacity on passengers and cargo will be able to compete with nearby airports," said the vice mayor.

Helena Poon, general manager of Southern China Lufthansa German Airlines, said: "We are very much encouraged by Shenzhen government's positive attitude. The company will consider the vice mayor's offer."

Zhu Qingfeng, chief of Shenzhen Aviation and Transportation Association (SZATA), organizer of this meeting, said SZATA was committed to helping foreign airlines do business in the city.

Editor: Donald