Leaders of Lufthansa and Air China signed a memorandum of understanding to expand the carriers' partnership.

According to an Air China statement, the fellow Star Alliance members intend to create a "passenger joint venture," starting in October 2014. Air China president and executive director Song Zhiyong indicated that the Chinese airline's "endeavor to become a global network carrier will not be successful without alliance and cooperation with our partners. The future joint venture cooperation with Lufthansa will facilitate Air China's efforts in expanding [the] international route network." Air China and Lufthansa already share codes on all flights operated by both between Germany and China, as well on some domestic and third-country flights.