Hainan Airlines has received the prestigious 5-Star airline rating from Skytrax for the10th consecutive year. Only 10 airlines currently hold the 5-Star Airline Rating. Receiving the honor for 10 consecutive years is a testament to the hard work and hospitality shown by Hainan Airlines staff on a daily basis, said officials with the UK-based international air transport rating organization, Skytrax, on Thursday.

"We were due to announce the 5-Star Rating for Hainan Airlines earlier in the year, but due to COVID-19 this was put on hold for several months," said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax. "Since the last awarding in June 2019, we were able to conduct a lot of international and domestic standards auditing of Hainan Airlines, through to February 2020. Despite the difficulties faced by the HNA Group at the start of 2020, we are delighted to note that Hainan Airlines has managed to maintain its high quality levels across both the product and service delivered, and remains intent to provide 5-Star standards to its customers."

"The year of 2020 is extraordinary to the aviation industry all around the world, and it also brings great challenges to Hainan Airlines. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Hainan Airlines has implemented measurements of control and prevention to make sure the safety of passengers and crews. Hainan Airlines has also provided protection supply transportation and chartered flights for medical teams," said Xu Jun, chairman of Hainan Airlines.

He said Hainan Airlines has opened charter flights in more than 10 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu and Wuhan, transporting more than 25,000 metric tons of materials to 24 cities in 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Romania, Australia and Israel in fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

While international flights are still impacted by COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the domestic market remained busy during the National Day "Golden Week" in October. Hainan Airlines offered more than 600 flights, carrying over 100,000 passengers each day.

Hainan Airlines resumed hot meal service on domestic flights in July and was the first to re-introduce hot meals in economy class. This was followed in September by the introduction of Hainan flavors in economy-class hot dishes.

Based at Haikou Meilan International Airport in South China's Hainan province, Hainan Airlines is the fourth largest airline in China, operating domestic and international services. It also has hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport and several other major Chinese cities. The airline has a fleet of over 200 aircraft, including 35 Boeing 787s, A330s and A350s and Boeing 737-800s.

New HNA Club lounges have been opened at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Hainan Airlines will launch a new HNA Club when Terminal 2 at Haikou Meilan Airport opens later in 2020.