China Eastern Airlines announced Friday it will invest 375 million euros (438 million U.S. dollars) to purchase a 10-percent stake of the European carrier Air France KLM to expand its European market.
An overseas affiliate of the Shanghai-based airline has signed two agreements with Air France KLM about the purchase and future market cooperation. It will also appoint a representative to the board of directors of the European airline.
The purchase will be the largest strategic investment for the Chinese airline.
Delta Air Lines, which holds a 3.2-percent stake in China Eastern, will also buy a 10-percent stake in Air France KLM.
All three airlines are members of the SkyTeam Alliance.
The investment will help the three parties forge a closer global strategic partnership and enable them provide better services to customers, said Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern.
