HONG KONG: Air China Vice-President Fan Cheng was named a senior official of Shenzhen Airlines on Tuesday, adding fuel to speculation that the world's most valuable airline would take over the Shenzhen-based carrier.

Fan was appointed Party secretary of Shenzhen Airlines on Dec 1, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters yesterday.

He is now in charge of the daily operations of Shenzhen Airlines, the country's fifth-largest air carrier, a source said.