Korean Air’s development into China is getting a boost from its code-share relationship with Chinese partner carriers, the airline said in a statement.

Starting October 28, Korean Air will expand codeshare with China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, to include all routes connecting Korea and mainland China operated by both Korean Air and either of the two Chinese carriers.

Last year, Korean Air proclaimed China as its second home market. Putting substance to this claim, eight of the 17 new routes inaugurated in 2006 were bound for China. (Incheon ~ Yantai, Weihei, Guangzhou, Dalian, Shenzhen, Yanji, Changsha and Busan ~ Beijing) It is expected that the aviation market in China, where the 2008 Olympic Games will be hosted, will see tremendous growth in terms of both passenger and freight. Korean Air currently operates passenger fl ights to 21 destinations in mainland China, and Zhengzhou will be added in September.