With a 21 percent increase in capacity, the airline reported a 46 percent growth in revenue freight tonne kilometers and a yield improvement of 45 percent for the first six months.

“In the second half of the year, the global economy is expected to continue its recovery while the domestic economy is expected to maintain a stable growth trajectory, providing favorable market conditions for Air China,” said Kong Dong, chairman of Air China.

"However the possibility of a 'double-dip' in the global economy, the rise of high-speed-rail, oil prices, as well as fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates all contribute to a certain level of uncertainty in our operations,” he said.

In April 2010 Air China became the controlling shareholder of Shenzhen Airlines and "further enhanced" its relationship with Air Macau. The company also has a cargo joint venture with Cathay Pacific.