On March 25, Air China, the country's flag carrier, officially opened a brand new lounge at Shenzhen airport in order to enhance its service offerings to premium-class passengers, an internal source told CARNOC.com.

It's understood by CARNOC.com that the airline handled 56,148 outbound premium passengers at the airport last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 6,200, and the growth is likely to continue for the next few years as Air China continues to strengthen its local presence in Shenzhen.

Preliminary statistics indicate that over 180 premium passengers used Air China's new lounge at Shenzhen airport on its first day of operation, an airline official informed CARNOC.com.

Photograph: Air China's ground services staff greet and welcome passengers in the newly-opened lounge at Shenzhen airport on March 25, 2009.