NWA Northwest Airline

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- UATP continues its expansion in China, adding Shenzhen Airlines as a Merchant to the UATP Network. To meet customer demand and increase the airlines' revenue, Shenzhen chose UATP as a form of payment. (LOGO: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081118/NETU022LOGO ) "Business travel within China continues to grow despite the state of the economy," says Mr. Li Kun, President of Shenzhen Airlines. "Meeting customer demand for UATP acceptance convinced us to become a UATP merchant. This is in line with our strategic goals of growing Shenzhen's corporate market share and of good value through UATP's unique and low-cost network and global presence." Privately-owned Shenzhen Airlines operates with the mission of becoming one of the worlds most welcome and valuable airlines with a pioneering vision to present Shenzhen's targets and responsibilities to the public, and to advance China's aviation industry. Shenzhen's strategic growth plans include growing its corporate market share; UATP will enhance Shenzhen's strategic plan through helping the airline lower distribution costs with low merchant service fees and by providing high-quality reporting, mainly to business travelers. UATP also provides a global network available for all corporate travelers. "UATP was the first charge card that was available for domestic purchases within China," said President and CEO Ralph Kaiser, UATP. "UATP is continuing its expansion within China by adding new merchants to the network and being able to offer corporations their preferred form of payment. Shenzhen Airlines has been extremely successful to date as a UATP Merchant and continues to grow its corporate market share." Shenzhen continues to be one of the most successful carriers in China, with fourteen consecutive profitable years and generating profits, up 76.8% over the previous year. Innovation originating in study, Shenzhen Airlines is one of the most honored airlines, including being awarded 2008 China's 500 Most Valuable Brands Award, and ranked in the top three in the China aviation industry. UATP is the low cost payment network privately owned by the world's airlines. For more information, visit uatp.com or http://www.shenzhenair.com/. About UATP UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel by airlines and travel agencies worldwide. UATP accounts are issued by: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), Austrian Airlines, Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), Japan Airlines (NasdaqOTC: JALSY), Northwest Airlines (NYSE:NWA), Qantas Airways, Ltd., United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAUA), and US Airways (NYSE:LCC). AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (NYSE:BAIRY.PK), Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL), and Lufthansa German Airlines. Contact: UATP Corporate Communications Wendy Ward, +1 202 626 4077 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081118/NETU022LOGODATASOURCE: UATP CONTACT: Wendy Ward of UATP Corporate Communications, +1-202-626-4077, Web Site: http://www.uatp.com/

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