CHICAGO: China's airlines have improved significantly since joining a global network, an industry leader said in Chicago last week.

"We have seen a huge evolution within Air China," Jaan Albrecht, CEO of the Star Alliance, said at a meeting of its member company chiefs held in the US city on Wednesday and Thursday.

"It's a result of them becoming members of the Star Alliance, and also because of the internal evolution of their leadership and decision making," he said.