A leading airline between Europe and China and the first European airline to have served this country over 45 years ago, Air France has now further strengthened its ties with China. Air France has become the first major European airline to be represented by a Chinese mentor. Miss Zhu Yan, principal dancer of the internationally renown Chinese National Ballet, has become Air France’s brand ambassador to China, at a ceremony organized at the new French Embassy in Beijing in the presence of Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of Air France.

“Becoming the face of Air France is of emotional and symbolic importance to me. Together we share the values of dance: excellence and rigour. France and Paris also have a special place in my heart, as this is where I won my first international ballet prize in 1994," said Zhu Yan. "We are very proud and honoured that Zhu Yan has agreed to embody the image of Air France in China, especially since we are the first major western airline to associate our image to someone from China," said Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of Air France. He also added: "This decision underlines the strategic importance of the Chinese market for our airline."

Zhu Yan started ballet at the age of 9. In 1995 she joined the Chinese National Ballet. Zhu Yan has notably been the guest of honour at some of the greatest operas in the world, such as the Paris National Opera, the Royal Opera House in London (Covent Garden) and the Royal Opera House in Stockholm. She has also performed the leading role in Romeo & Juliet and Carmen. Today she has become the face of Air France in China and will be involved with several Air France related events and trips in the coming months.

Air France and KLM in Greater China: Air France and KLM, leading airline between China and Europe, operate 80 weekly flights linking their hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol to 8 destinations in Greater China: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xiamen and Taipei. On 11 April 2012, Air France became the first airline to operate non-stop flights between Wuhan and Europe, with three weekly flights operated by Boeing 777-200ER equipped with 309 seats, 35 in Business class, 24 in Premium Voyageur and 250 in Voyageur/Economy.