LONDON, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hainan Airlines, part of HNA Aviation Group, was named a SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline for the 15th consecutive year at the 2026 World Airline Awards ceremony in London on Sept. 18, in recognition of its consistently high-quality products and services. The airline also ranked among the Skytrax World's Best Airlines Top 10 List and earned top honors in several global and regional categories, including Best Airline in China, Best Airline Staff Service in China and Best Business Class Airline Comfort Amenities. Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines, attended the ceremony.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of SKYTRAX, congratulated Hainan Airlines on retaining its Five-Star Airline rating for the 15th consecutive year. In 2026, Hainan Airlines once again ranked among the world's top 10 airlines and placed fourth in the World's Best Cabin Crew category, reflecting its growing standing in the international aviation industry.

"We are greatly honored to receive three prestigious awards from SKYTRAX," said Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines. "These accolades are high recognition of Hainan Airlines' service quality and product innovation, and represent the combined achievements of our dedicated workforce and the enduring trust of our passengers. As a SKYTRAX 5‑Star Airline, we will remain passenger‑centric, continuously elevate our service standards and product experience, and further advance service innovation. We strive to deliver more comfortable, convenient and heartfelt travel experiences for passengers across the globe. These awards will drive us forward. Benchmarking against higher standards, we will refine our premium aviation services and work to create an even better in‑flight journey for travelers worldwide."

Hainan Airlines continues to expand its international network, which now spans Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania. To date, its international and regional network comprises more than 70 routes on which service has resumed or begun, or is scheduled to begin. At the same time, the airline continues to optimize its domestic network and express services. Its Premium Express network has expanded to nine routes, while its Free Trade Port Express network now includes six, providing business and frequent travelers with a more efficient and convenient experience throughout their journey.

The airline is also expanding its connecting services. Streamlined ground services for itineraries involving international and regional connections are now available at major national and regional aviation hubs, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Haikou, Xi'an, Changsha, Chengdu Tianfu, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou. The number of domestic departure points covered by these services has increased from 19 to 36, encompassing 21 provincial capitals, three municipalities, three autonomous-region capitals and several other key passenger markets. The number of departure points outside mainland China has increased to 41.

Hainan Airlines builds its five‑star service brand anchored in three core values: cultural experience, beyond expectation and humanity, represented by three exclusive sub‑brands DREAM, HAI and CARE respectively. The DREAM series delivers premium lounge cultural experience, covering self‑operated lounges in Beijing, Haikou, Hangzhou, Urumqi and Taiyuan, partner lounges in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, an upcoming partner lounge in Chongqing, and a distinctive co‑branded lounge in Shanghai jointly developed with IHG. The HAI series focuses on exceeding passenger expectations via efficient ground services including HAI‑PASS, global self‑check‑in and seamless interline transfers with baggage through‑check. The CARE series embodies humanized travel philosophy with tailored pet‑friendly cabin travel solutions. All optimized ground services jointly create a refined and thoughtful travel journey for passengers.

In addition, Hainan Airlines continues to build partnerships with leading premium brands and explore regional culinary traditions as it upgrades every aspect of its in-flight dining program and further enhances its five-star service. Renewing its partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the airline has teamed up with Cai Feng Lou at HUALUXE Xi'an Tanghua to introduce "Dining Above the Clouds: Finest Flavors from North and South," a collaborative menu that brings the culinary traditions of the ancient capital of Xi'an on board. Hainan Airlines has also continued to refine its in-flight beverage program and update its drinks menu, offering a carefully selected range of premium beverages and a wider variety of choices for passengers.

Looking ahead, Hainan Airlines will maintain its unwavering commitment to safety and service. The airline will continue to develop new service offerings, improve its service processes and refine every detail of the passenger experience. By combining elements of Eastern culture with modern airline service, Hainan Airlines will continue to strengthen its international capabilities and provide passengers worldwide with a safer, more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable five-star travel experience. It will also continue supporting the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the continued modernization and growth of China's civil aviation industry.

For more information, please visit:

Official websites: www.hnair.com or www.hainanairlines.com

Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/hnair

WeChat: HNairlines

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Im Magdeburger Landtag steht ein Einschnitt in der bundesdeutschen Parlamentsgeschichte bevor: Erstmals könnte ein Abgeordneter der AfD das Amt des Landtagspräsidenten übernehmen. Der 35-jährige Tobias Rausch, seit 2016 Mitglied des Landtags von Sachsen-Anhalt und Generalsekretär der AfD im Bundesland, geht mit einer komfortablen Mehrheit in die konstituierende Sitzung. Nach ihrem klaren Wahlsieg stellt die AfD künftig 39 der 83 Abgeordneten und ist damit die mit Abstand stärkste Fraktion.

Den entscheidenden Schub liefert das Bündnis mit dem Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). Die fünf BSW-Abgeordneten wollen geschlossen für Rausch stimmen und kommen gemeinsam mit der AfD auf 44 Stimmen. BSW-Fraktionschef Thomas Schulze verweist auf parlamentarische Gepflogenheiten: Als stärkste Fraktion habe die AfD laut Geschäftsordnung Anspruch auf den Vorsitz im Parlament. Eine politische Blockbildung gegen die AfD lehnt Schulze ab und präsentiert die Zustimmung zur Wahl des Landtagspräsidenten als Signal eines „neuen Politikstils“.

Die übrigen Fraktionen reagieren gespalten. CDU, SPD, Grüne und Linke verfügen zusammen ebenfalls über 39 Mandate, treten aber nicht geschlossen gegen die AfD an. Die CDU hat angekündigt, sich bei der Wahl zu enthalten – Enthaltungen zählen in diesem Verfahren nicht als abgegebene Stimmen. SPD, Grüne und Linke wollen gegen Rausch stimmen. Spannend bleibt damit vor allem die Frage, ob der AfD-Kandidat über die absehbaren 44 Ja-Stimmen hinaus zusätzliche Unterstützung erhält. Vor der geheimen Abstimmung spekulieren die Lager bereits über mögliche Abweichler; aus der AfD-Spitze heißt es, zusätzliche Stimmen könnten auch aus dem Kreis der erklärten Gegner stammen.

Parallel zur Präsidentenwahl testet die AfD aus, wie weit ihr neuer Einfluss im Landtag reicht. Die Fraktion will die Geschäftsordnung ändern, um neben dem Präsidenten auch einen der drei Vizepräsidentenposten zu besetzen – vorgesehen ist der Abgeordnete Hans-Thomas Tillschneider. In der Vergangenheit sorgten seine Beiträge zur Bildungs- und Kulturpolitik regelmäßig für Kritik in anderen Fraktionen, die den Personalvorschlag daher als Provokation werten dürften. Ob das BSW diese Personalie ebenso mitträgt wie die Wahl von Rausch, ist bislang offen. Unabhängig vom Ausgang der Abstimmungen wird die erste Sitzung des neu gewählten Landtags damit zum Testfall für künftige Zusammenarbeit und Machtarithmetik in Sachsen-Anhalt.