From left: Sales manager Rex Yu, Jack (Xiaoming) Liu, general manager of Canadian operations, and sales manager Tina Zhang represented Air China at Travel Expo 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Feb 22. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Air China has announced that Jack (Xiaoming) Liu, the airline's former general manager of Thailand operations, has been appointed new general manager of Canadian operations as of Feb 1.

"Vancouver is a very important market in [Air China's] North American services and becoming increasingly important,"Liu said in an interview with China Daily. "This is one of the places where we want to devote our latest resources and attention.”

Liu's duties as general manager will include helping expand the airline's market presence, find new sales channels and strengthen relations with Air China's partners.

"As our service expands and we add new routes, [our team] will be working hard to bring benefits to the airline, and improve safety,"Liu said.

Liu had managed Air China's Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket operations since 2011.

In addition, Liu has 20 years experience serving in various senior management positions with the airline in China and San Francisco. He joined the company in 1996.

China's national flag carrier, Air China began scheduled flights to Canada in 1988 and operates daily flights between Beijing and Vancouver, the airline's Canadian headquarters.

Four additional weekly flights will be added to the Beijing-Vancouver route for the 2015 summer schedule, June to September, to accommodate growing demand.

Air China Canada's outgoing general manager, Xu Junhong, will take a new posting in Shanghai.

Air China was founded in 1988 and operates 332 routes around the world, including seven in North America.

In addition to commercial flights, the airline provides flight service to Chinese state leaders on official international visits.

In November 2014, Air China and Air Canada signed a memorandum of understanding defining a revenue-sharing joint venture. Passengers travelling on the China-Canada routes are expected to benefit from more route options, upgraded services and lower prices. The two carriers will also enhance partnerships in sales, marketing and airport operations.

The joint venture is expected to start by the end of 2015.

Air China currently offers codeshare flights with Air Canada between Vancouver and six other Canadian cities: Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

Air Canada also offers codeshare flights operated by Air China between Beijing and six Chinese cities: Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shenyang, Wuhan and Xi'an.

Air China is looking at possible expanded service to eastern Canada for later in 2015.