Air China is preparing for an A-share listing on the domestic stock market and has chosen CITIC Securities, Zhongjin Securities and Merchant Securities as its underwriters.

A-share issues have been suspended in Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges since April 2005, so it is unclear when Air China will have its listing. The company says it is still hopeful to list in 2006.

Air China used all the proceeds raised from the recent bond issue for the purchase of 10 Airbus A330-200s and 15 Boeing B787s involving a total cost of 15 billion yuan.

By June 30, Air China had a fleet of 160 aircraft and operated 72 domestic routes and 36 international routes. It also plans to invest 4 billion yuan in the third-phase expansion of Beijing Capital Airport.