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China Southern Airlines Company Limited

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FY2019 Annual Report · China Southern Airlines Company Limited
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H Share Stock Code: 1055

A Share Stock Code: 600029 ADR Code: ZNH

中
國
南
方
航
空
股
份
有
限
公
司

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1
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Annual Report2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
GUANGZHOU 

and BEIJING

One Headquarter,

Dual Hubs

About us

China Southern Airlines Company Limited is an 

airlines with the largest number of transport aircraft, 

the most developed route network and the largest 

annual passenger turnover in China. By the end of 

the reporting period, China Southern Airlines has 

operated a total of 862 passenger and cargo transport 

aircraft and served nearly 152 million passengers. It 

is ranked first in Asia and third in the world in terms of 
fleet scale and passenger turnover. China Southern 

Airlines has maintained the best safety record among 

Chinese airlines. The Company was awarded “Two-Star 

Diamond Award for Flight Safety”, the top award for 

flight safety from CAAC, in June 2018 and has been an 

airlines with the highest safety star in China.

Corporate Governance

 58  Report of Directors

 81 

 Changes in the Share Capital, 
Shareholders’ Profile and 
Disclosure of Interests

 89 

 Directors, Supervisors, Senior 
Management and Employees

 102  Corporate Governance Report

 116  CORPORATE BOND

 121   RISK MANAGEMENT AND 
INTERNAL CONTROL 

 124  SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Financial Report

Financial Statements Prepared under 
International Financial Reporting 
Standards

 128  Independent Auditor’s Report

 133  Consolidated Income Statement

 134   Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income

 135  Consolidated Statement of  

Financial Position

 137  Consolidated Statement of 

Changes in Equity

 138  Consolidated Cash Flow 

Contents

About Us

 2  Definitions

 4  Corporate Profile

 6  Corporate Information

 8  Company Business Summary

Operating Results

 18 

 Principal Accounting Information 
and Financial Indicators

 19  Summary of Operating Data

Statement

 24  Summary of Fleet Data

 139  Notes to the Financial Statements

 26  Highlights of the Year

 241   SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL 

 30  Management Discussion and 

INFORMATION

Analysis

 244  FIVE YEAR SUMMARY

  
  
  
  
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms should have the following meanings in this report:

Company, CSA, China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines Company Limited

Group

CSAH

Xiamen Airlines

Guizhou Airlines

Zhuhai Airlines

Shantou Airlines

China Southern Airlines Company Limited and its subsidiaries

China Southern Air Holding Limited Company

Xiamen Airlines Company Limited

Guizhou Airlines Company Limited

Zhuhai Airlines Company Limited

Shantou Airlines Company Limited

Chongqing Airlines

Chongqing Airlines Company Limited

Henan Airlines

Xiongan Airlines

SAGA

Hebei Airlines

Jiangxi Airlines

China Southern Airlines Henan Airlines Company Limited

China Southern Airlines Xiongan Airlines Company Limited

Southern Airlines General Aviation Co., Ltd.

Hebei Airlines Company Limited

Jiangxi Airlines Company Limited

Finance Company

China Southern Airlines Group Finance Company Limited

Freight and Logistic Company

Southern Airlines Freight and Logistic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.

GSC

CSAGPMC

Nan Lung

SACC

SACM

SPV

American Airlines

Sichuan Airlines

PRC

CSRC

NDRC

SASAC

CAAC

IATA

China Southern Airlines Group Ground Services Co., Ltd.

China Southern Airlines Group Property Management Company Limited

Nan Lung Holding Limited

Shenzhen Air Catering Co., Ltd.

Southern Airlines Culture and Media Co., Ltd.

Special Purpose Vehicles exclusively set up by China Southern Airlines 

and its subsidiaries for leased aircraft

American Airlines, Inc.

Sichuan Airlines Corporation Limited 

The People’s Republic of China

China Securities Regulatory Commission

National Development and Reform Commission

State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the 

State Council

General Administration of Civil Aviation of China

International Air Transport Association

Daxing Airport

Beijing Daxing International Airport

2

China Southern Airlines Company Limited DEFINITIONSAbout usSSE

Stock Exchange

Shanghai Stock Exchange

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Articles of Association

Articles of Association of China Southern Airlines Company Limited

Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange

The Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of 

Hong Kong Limited

Model Code

The Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed 

Issuers as set out in Appendix 10 to the Rules Governing the Listing of 

Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

Corporate Governance Code

Corporate Governance Code as set out in Appendix 14 to the Rules 

Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong 

Kong Limited

SFO

Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the laws of Hong 

Kong)

Available Seat Kilometers or “ASK”

the number of seats made available for sale multiplied by the kilometers 

flown

Available Tonne Kilometers or “ATK”

the tonnes of capacity available for the transportation multiplied by the 

kilometers flown

Available Tonne Kilometers – passenger

the tonnes of capacity available for passenger multiplied by the 

kilometers flown

Available Tonne Kilometers – cargo

the tonnes of capacity available for cargo and mails multiplied by the 

kilometers flown

Revenue Passenger Kilometers or “RPK”

i.e. passengers traffic volume, the number of passengers carried 

multiplied by the kilometers flown

Revenue Tonne Kilometers or “RTK” 

i.e. total traffic volume, the load (passengers and cargo) in tonnes 

multiplied by the kilometers flown

Revenue Tonne Kilometers – cargo or  

i.e. cargo and mail traffic volume, the load for cargo and mail in tonnes 

“RFTK” 

multiplied by the kilometers flown

Revenue Tonne Kilometers – passenger

the load for passenger in tonnes multiplied by the kilometers flown

Aircraft Utilization Rate

Flight hours that aircraft can service during specified time

Passenger Load Factor

RPK expressed as a percentage of ASK

Overall Load Factor

RTK expressed as a percentage of ATK

Yield per RPK

Yield per RTK

Yield per RFTK

revenue from passenger operations divided by RPK

revenue divided by RTK

revenue from cargo operations divided by RFTK

3

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportThe Company is the largest airlines 
in China with the largest number of 
transport aircraft, the most 
developed route network and the 
largest annual passenger turnover. 

The Company’s headquarters is located in Guangzhou. It 
has 16 branches in Beijing, Shenzhen, and other cities and 
8 holding aviation subsidiaries including Xiamen Airlines. 
The Company has set up SAGA in Zhuhai, and has set 
up 23 domestic offices in Hangzhou, Qingdao and other 
places, and 55 overseas offices in Sydney, New York 
and other places. By the end of 2019, the Company has 
operated a total of 862 passenger and cargo transport 
aircraft including Boeing 787, 777, 747, 737 series, Airbus 
380, 350, 330, 320 series. In 2019, the Company served 
approximately 152 million passengers, ranking first among 
Chinese airlines for 41 consecutive years. It ranked first 
in Asia and third in the world both in terms of fleet size 
and passenger turnover. The Company maintains the best 
safety record among Chinese airlines. In June 2018, the 
Company was awarded “Two-Star Diamond Award for 
Flight Safety”, the top award for flight safety from CAAC. 
The Company was the airline with the highest safety star in 
China.

During the reporting period, the Group provides more 
than 3,000 flights to 44 countries and regions, and 243 
destinations with more than 500,000 seats in each day. In 
recent years, the Company has continuously launched new 
routes and added new flights as needed for some flight 
routes, strengthened transfer function, made full use of the 
sixth freedom right to build the international aviation hub 
of “Canton Route”. There are more than 50 international 
and regional destinations in Guangzhou. It has become 
the major gateway hub from mainland China to Oceania 
and Southeast Asia. The Company has made great efforts 
to promote the construction of Beijing hub, successfully 
completed the first flight of Daxing Airport and the first 
batch of flights transition in 2019. According to the plan, 
the Group will become the largest company with around 
43% market share in Daxing Airport by the end of March 
2021. The Company actively responded to the national 
initiative to provide strong support for the promotion of 
the construction of “The Belt and Road Initiative”. In the 
areas, such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, the South 
Pacific, Western and Central Asia, mainly covered along 
the routes of “The Belt and Road Initiative”, the Company 
has established perfect route networks. As to the number 
of routes, the frequency of flights and the market share, the 
Company ranked first among domestic airlines. This makes 
the Company become the main force of interconnection 
between China and the countries and regions connected 
with “The Belt and Road Initiative”.

4

China Southern Airlines Company Limited CORPORATE  PROFILEAbout us5

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportChinese Name:

中國南方航空股份有限公司

Chinese Short Name:

南方航空

English Name:

China Southern Airlines Company Limited

English Short Name:

CSN

Legal Representative:

Wang Chang Shun

Registered Address:

Unit 301, 3/F, Office Tower Guanhao Science Park Phase I, 12 Yuyan Street, 
Huangpu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PRC

Address:

China Southern Air Building, 68 Qixin Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 
Guangdong Province, PRC

Place of Business in Hong Kong:

Unit B1, 9th Floor, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong

Website of the Company:

www.csair.com

Telephone:

Fax:

E-mail:

APP:

+86-20-86112480

+86-20-86659040

ir@csair.com

China Southern Airlines

WeChat Official Account:

China Southern Airlines

Sina Weibo:

WeChat QR Code:

http://weibo.com/csair

Place of Listing of A Shares:

SSE

Short Name of A Shares:

Stock Code of A Shares:

A Share Registrar:

南方航空

600029

China Securities Depository and  
Clearing Corporation Limited Shanghai Branch
Floor 36, China Insurance Building,  
166 Lu Jia Zui East Road, Shanghai, PRC

Place of Listing of H Shares:

The Stock Exchange

Short Name of H Shares:

China South Air

Stock Code of H Shares:

01055

6

China Southern Airlines Company Limited CORPORATE  INFORMATIONAbout usH Share Registrar:

Place of Listing of N Shares:

Hong Kong Registrars Limited
17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong
The New York Stock Exchange

Short Name of N Shares:

China Southern Air

Stock Code of N Shares:

ZNH

N Share Registrar:

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
P.O.Box 505000
Louisville, KY40233-5000, USA

Domestic Legal Adviser:

Dentons Law Offices, LLP (Guangzhou)

Overseas Legal Adviser:

DLA Piper Hong Kong

Domestic Auditors:

KPMG Huazhen LLP

Overseas Auditors:

KPMG
(Public Interest Entity Auditor registered in  
accordance with the Financial Reporting  
Council Ordinance)

Controlling Shareholder:

China Southern Air Holding Limited Company

Principal Bankers:

China Development Bank
Agricultural Bank of China
Bank of China
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China
China Construction Bank

Designated Website for Information 

www.hkexnews.hk

Disclosure 
(H Shares):

Annual Report Available for 

The office of the Board of the Company

Inspection:

As at 30 March 2020

Directors
Wang Chang Shun
Ma Xu Lun
Han Wen Sheng
Zheng Fan
Gu Hui Zhong 
Tan Jin Song
Jiao Shu Ge

Supervisors
Li Jia Shi
Lin Xiao Chun
Mao Juan

Board and Company Secretary:

Xie Bing

Securities Affairs Representative:

Xu Yang

Authorized Representative under  
the Listing Rules of the Stock 
Exchange:

Ma Xu Lun (appointed on 8 May 2019)
Xie Bing
Zhang Zi Fang (retired on 8 May 2019)

7

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportI.  The Principal Business and 

Operating Model of the Company 
and the Industry Summary during 
the Reporting Period

(I)  Principal Business

The scope of business of the Company includes: (1) 
provision of services of domestic, regional and international 
scheduled and unscheduled air transportation of 
passenger, cargo, mail and baggage; (2) provision of 
services of general aviation; (3) provision of services of 
aircraft maintenance; (4) acting as an agency of domestic 
and foreign airlines; (5) offering airlines catering services 
(operated by branch office only); (6) conducting other 
aviation and relevant businesses, including advertising for 
such businesses; (7) conducting other aviation business 
and related business, (limited to insurance and agency 
business: personal accident insurance); provision of airlines 
ground services; civil aircraft training (operated by branch 
office only according to license); asset leasing services; 
project management and technical consultancy services; 
sales of aviation equipment; travel agency business; 
merchandise retail and wholesale. (For all projects being 
subject to approval in accordance with laws, the business 
activities can only be carried out after approval by relevant 
authorities in accordance with the laws).

(II)  Profit Model, Operating Characteristics and 

Development Strategies

The Company continued to strengthen the governance 
system and governance capacity building, and enhance 
competitiveness, innovation, control, influence and risk 
resistance. Guided by the development program for 

quality and world-class air transport enterprise, the 
Company has given more emphasis on quality, efficiency 
and effectiveness, and pursued safe, quality and shared 
development, in an innovative, cooperative and green way.

It has always been the intent and purpose of the Company 
to build a world-class air transport enterprise. In order 
to accelerate the transformation to high-quality growth, 
the Company has established a strategic framework of 
“three-two-four-five-three” to strive for a goal of “three 
first-class” in respect of safety quality, profitability, and 
brand image, a strategic layout of Guangzhou-Beijing 
“dual hubs”, and a strategic direction of “standardization, 
integration, intelligentization and internationalization”. We 
have established and improved five systems, namely party 
leadership, governance structure, strategic management, 
resource capabilities, and corporate culture. The three 
major assurances in terms of conditions, resources 
and environment have been enhanced to realize the 
modernization of the governance system and capacity.

The Company accelerated the construction of integrated 
operation by promoting reforms of centralized operation, 
unifying flight resource management and deepening 
reforms in the field of marketing. It gradually shifted 
to a “tiered arrangements and vertical management-
based” management and control model. Through the 
implementation of a three-level operational decision-making 
system, it has formed a new pattern with the headquarters 
focusing on the management of the entire group, matrix 
unit for construction and branch office on daily operation. 
In this way, it realized a profound change in philosophy, 
centralized more core resources, and enhanced local 
assurance, thus giving full play to the advantage of multiple 
fleet and bases, and advantage of network, to effectively 
improve operation quality and efficiency.

8

China Southern Airlines Company Limited COMPANY BUSINESS SUMMARYAbout usProfit and loss were geographically differentiated. 
According to data released by IATA, the profit and 
loss performance of airlines presented differentiation 
by geographical locations. Among them, the financial 
performance of airlines in North America continued to lead, 
accounting for 65% of the industry’s total profit; airlines 
in Europe were in good overall operating conditions, but 
the profit and loss performance of airlines presented 
differentiation; benefiting from the strong growth of the 
Chinese market, airlines in Asia Pacific region achieved 
better profit performance as a whole; airlines in Latin 
America are expected to lose US$400 million; and airlines 
in Africa are expected to lose US$200 million.

(2)  Development of China Aviation Industry

According to the data released by CAAC:

Flight safety. In 2019, China’s civil aviation transport 
achieved 4.965 million flights of 12.309 million hours. The 
air transport achieved a new safety record in continuous 
safety flight of 112 months and 80.68 million hours, and 
secured aviation safety without liability accidents for 17 
years.

(III)  Development of Civil Aviation Industry and 

Industrial Position of the Company

1. 

Information of Development of International 
and Domestic Aviation Industry

(1)  Development of International Aviation Industry

The growth of passenger demand slowed down, and 
cargo traffic demand declined year-on-year. According 
to the data released by IATA, in 2019, the global passenger 
aviation demand increased by 4.2% year-on-year in terms 
of RPK. The growth of passenger transport demand slowed 
down in 2019 and it was the first time that the average 
annual growth rate of passenger has been lees than 5.5% 
since the global financial crisis in 2008. In 2019, the global 
aviation cargo traffic demand (in terms of RFTK) decreased 
by 3.3% compared with 2018 and it was the first decrease 
since 2012.

Revenues from both passenger and freight transport 
volume were weak. In 2019, the price of Brent crude oil 
averaged at about US$65 per barrel, and fuel costs were 
lower than expected. Operating expenses of global aviation 
industry increased by only 3.8% year-on-year. However, 
the low growth in operating expenses was still not enough 
to offset the impact of weak revenue on the industry’s net 
profit. According to data released by IATA in December 
2019, the passenger yield of global aviation industry 
decreased by 3.0% and the freight yield decreased by 5.0%. 
IATA predicted that the industry’s net profit was US$25.9 
billion in 2019, a 5.1% decrease from 2018.

9

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportOperation service. In 2019, the 
flight on-time performance rate in the 
China’s civil aviation industry reached 
81.65%, representing an increase of 
1.52 percentage points year-on-year, 
exceeding 80% for 2 consecutive years; 
229 airports and major airlines are able to 
provide ‘‘paperless ’’ travel. The average 
self-service check-in rate for domestic 
passengers at 37 ten-million-level airports 
was 71.6%.

Production and operation. In 2019, 
China’s civil aviation achieved a total 
traffic volume of 129.27 billion ton-
kilometers, a passenger traffic volume 
of 660 million and a cargo and mail 
transportation volume of 7.526 million 
tons, up by 7.1%, 7.9% and 1.9% 
year-on-year, respectively. Revenue 
from the entire industry amounted to 
RMB1.06 trillion, representing an increase of 5.4%. The 
proportion of civil aviation passenger turnover over the 
comprehensive transportation system reached 32.8%, 
representing an increase of 1.5 percentage points year-
on-year.

2.  Features of Aviation Industry

(1)  The development level of civil aviation industry 

is an important display of the comprehensive 
national strength

The civil aviation industry is an important strategic industry 
of the national economy. On one hand, its development 
level reflects the modernisation level, economy structure, 
openness level and other conditions of a country or a 
region. On the other hand, it is an important indicator to 
measure the national or regional economic competitiveness.

(2)  Civil aviation industry is featured with commonality

Civil aviation industry plays a role that other transport 
methods cannot replace in promotion of international 
communication, providing service for public travel, 
emergency rescue and disaster relief, and many other 
social and public services. Aviation passenger transport is 
the basis for the development of the tourism industry and 
a safeguard for international political, economic and cultural 
communications. Aviation transport is routinely used for 
international transoceanic passenger transport. Aviation 
cargo transport is a must for the development of trade, 
logistics, high-tech and many other industries and the basis 
for the development of express postal industry.

10

(3)  Civil aviation industry is featured with high degree 

of technology content

Civil aviation industry is featured with high degree of 
technology content, long industry chains and advanced 
technology-integration. The development of the civil aviation 
industry provides vast room for the technological innovation 
of related fields. Especially, the upstream aviation 
manufacturing industry may drive the development and 
innovation of material, metallurgy, chemical, mechanical 
manufacturing, special processing, electronics, information 
and many other industries. It is a strategic industry and 
forerunner high-tech industry for a country’s economic 
development and an important symbol of a country’s 
modernization, industrialization, science and technology, 
and comprehensive national strength.

(4)  Civil aviation industry is featured with high risks 

and high investments

On one hand, high risks are reflected in uncertainties in air 
transport. The unsafe risk sources are very complex and 
diverse. There are many uncontrollable factors. Once there 
is any problem, the consequences are unthinkable. On the 
other hand, high risks are largely affected by political and 
economic situations. War, unrest, terrorist incidents, even 
epidemic disease will exert an unexpected impact on it. In 
addition, fluctuations in exchange rate, interest rate, and 
price of aviation fuel will also exert a huge impact on its 
operation and profitability. High investments are reflected 
in that airlines need to make huge investments in fixed 
assets, including investment in capacity input, infrastructure 
and technology reconstruction, among which, the cost 

China Southern Airlines Company Limited About usCompany Business Summaryof purchasing aircraft, flight cost, and maintenance cost 
are huge. Airlines also need to input a huge fund for 
supporting infrastructure, facility, equipment and technology 
transformation.

3. 

Industrial Position of the Company

The Company is the largest airlines in China with the largest 
number of transport aircraft, the most developed route 
network and the largest annual passenger throughput. Its 
headquarters is located in Guangzhou. It has 16 branches 
in Beijing, Shenzhen and other cities and 8 airlines 
subsidiaries including Xiamen Airlines. The Company has 
set up SAGA in Zhuhai, and has set up domestic offices in 
23 cities including Hangzhou, Qingdao, and 55 overseas 
offices in Sydney, New York and other places. By the 
end of 2019, the Company has operated a total of 862 
passenger and cargo transport aircraft including Boeing 
787, 777, 747, 737 series, Airbus 380, 350, 330, 320 
series. In 2019, the Company served approximately 152 
million passengers, ranking first among Chinese airlines for 
41 consecutive years. It ranked first in Asia and third in the 
world both in terms of fleet size and passenger turnover. 
The Company maintains the best safety record among 
Chinese airlines. In June 2018, the Company was awarded 
“Two-Star Diamond Award for Flight Safety”, the top award 
for flight safety from CAAC. The Company was the airline 
with the highest safety star in China.

During the reporting period, the Group provides more 
than 3,000 flights to 44 countries and regions, and 243 
destinations with more than 500,000 seats in each day. 
In recent years, the Company has continuously launched 
new routes and add new flights as needed for some flight 
routes, strengthened transfer function, made full use of the 
sixth freedom right to build the international aviation hub 
of “Canton Route”. There are more than 50 international 
and regional destinations in Guangzhou. It has become 
the major gateway hub from mainland China to Oceania 
and Southeast Asia. The Company fully promoted the 
construction of the Beijing hub, and successfully completed 
the first flight and transit of the first batch of flights at 
Daxing Airport in 2019. According to the plan, as of the 
end of March 2021, the Group’s market share in Daxing 
Airport will reach about 43%, making it the largest airlines 
in Daxing Airport. The Company actively responded to the 
national initiative to provide strong support for the promotion 
of the construction of “The Belt and Road Initiative". In 
the areas, such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, the South 
Pacific, Western and Central Asia, mainly covered along 
the routes of “The Belt and Road Initiative", the Company 
has well-established route networks. As to the number of 
routes, the frequency of flights and the market share, the 
Company ranked first among domestic airlines. This makes 
the Company become the main force of interconnection 
between China and the countries and regions connected 
with “The Belt and Road Initiative".

11

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report(IV)  Challenges

3.  Expansion of high-speed rail network

The major challenges faced by the Group include:

1.  Exchange rate fluctuation

Certain factors such as the complexity of the economic 
and trade conditions and currency policy changes 
lead to the long-term uncertainty of Renminbi. At the 
beginning of 2020, many countries gradually implemented 
monetary easing policy under the downward pressure 
on the economy to response to COVID-19 outbreak (the 
“Outbreak”). As shown by Reuters survey questionnaires, 
numbers of investment banks predicted that Renminbi 
exchange rate will fluctuate around 7.0 in 2020.

2.  Crude oil prices

In 2020, as the global political landscape is complex and 
changeable, and the increasing downward pressure on 
the global economy, there is uncertainty for supply side 
and demand side of international crude oil. At the first 
quarter of 2020, international crude oil prices continued 
to decline and fluctuate significantly. Fluctuations in crude 
oil prices lead to changes in fuel costs of the Company. 
Since fuel cost is one of the Company's main operating 
cost, fluctuations in fuel costs will directly affect the 
Company’s performance.

12

According to the data released by China Railway 
Corporation (中國鐵路總公司), by the end of 2019, China’s 
railway operating mileage had reached 139,000 kilometers, 
of which high-speed rail mileage attaining 35,000 
kilometers. By 2025, the railway mileage will reach 175,000 
kilometers, including 38,000 kilometers of high-speed 
railway. The Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal network 
of high-speed railway will cover China’s economically 
developed southeast coastal areas, densely populated 
central areas and major western cities. The operating 
results of the Company’s routes that overlap with the high-
speed railway network (especially routes with mileage of no 
more than 800 kilometers) will be impacted in the future to 
a certain extent.

4. 

Intensifying competition in the industry

In the domestic market, low cost carriers continue to open 
up domestic bases and increase their efforts to develop 
short to medium-distance international market, even with 
the possibility of launching long-haul international routes 
in the future. The domestic competition will continue to 
intensify. In the international market, the growth rate of 
low cost carriers is faster than the world average, and 
their market share in developed markets and emerging 
economies continue to grow. As China’s outbound travel 
market continues to be hot, a large number of international 
direct flights are launched in second- and third-tier cities, 
impacting on Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou hubs to a 
certain extent.

5. 

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak

Since late January 2020, the Outbreak has spread 
globally. Many countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas 
successively adopted travel restrictions to prevent the 
Outbreak from spreading further, which resulted in sharp 
decline in global aviation demand. By the end of March, 
there is a better trend in China’s overall outbreak control, 
therefore, many domestic provinces and cities adopted 
variable policies of reproduction and rework and domestic 
aviation demand gradually recovered. However, restriction 
policies for global aviation have tightened due to continuing 
spread of the Outbreak globally, CAAC recently published 
a notice about adjusting and reducing the number of flights 
during the Outbreak prevention and control period. It is 
expected that the supply of international aviation will further 
decrease. It is expected that the Outbreak will adversely 
affect the Company’s production and operations, and the 
specific extent is uncertain.

China Southern Airlines Company Limited About usCompany Business Summary(V)  Security Ensurence Input

During the reporting period, the Company always insisted 
on the principle of “safety first”, constantly strengthened 
safety management system, and continued to modify 
safety rules and regulations and enhance security 
ensurence input.

First, we have continuously improved the safety 
management system and enhanced safety governance 
capability. In light of large size and diversified aircraft 
of the Company’s fleet, we launched the construction 
of seven major safety systems centered on safety 
responsibility, regulations and manuals, training, process 
control, risk management and control, safety culture, 
and technological innovation, as a way to advance an 
overall transition of the Company’s safety management 
by building it in an institutionalized, structured, systematic 
and informationized way.

Second, we have focused on key links and continued to 
improve safety system. In 2019, the Company implemented 
systems such as regulations on management of dishonesty, 
regulations on cockpit sound monitoring and management, 
and regulations on comprehensive smoking ban on aircraft 
to strengthen institutional supervision. At the same time, 

the Company comprehensively revised the Aviation Safety 
Management Manual, implemented accurate assessment, 
greatly streamlined the safety assessment terms, and 
continued to improve the safety system.

Third, we have adopted risk prevention measures. Subject 
to the requirements of CAAC for “capacity control and 
structure adjustment”, we formulated control, reduction 
and suspension measures, and improved and revised 43 
operation manuals.

Fourth, we have implemented safety inspections. 
Inspections were conducted with emphasis on systems 
and levels. A complete set of procedures was formed from 
planning, implementation, analysis to feedback, to achieve 
a wider and deeper coverage for aggressive inspections. 
In 2019, the Company carried out 187 company-level 
inspections and about 2,500 self-inspections by various 
departments, covering various areas of safety production. 
Follow-up verification was enhanced to ensure rectification 
effects.

By the end of the reporting period, the Group continued to 
maintain the best safety records among Chinese airlines by 
successively realizing 20 aviation safety years.

13

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportII.  Analysis on Core Competitiveness 

during the Reporting Period

The Company’s five core competitiveness have begun 
to take shape, including its powerful and well-rounded 
scale and network advantages, its hub operation and 
management capability with Guangzhou-Beijing as the core, 
its resources interoperability under the matrix management 
mode, its service brand influence and its leading advanced 
information technology.

1.  Powerful and well-rounded scale and network 

advantages. The Company had the largest fleet in 
China and advanced fleet performance. The Group 
has the densest network by forming a developed route 
network covering China, and the rest of Asia, and 
effectively connecting Europe, America, Australia and 
Africa. With the largest volume of passenger traffic, the 
Company is the first airlines in China with its amount 
of passenger traffic exceeding 100 million. At present, 
China Southern Airlines has 16 branches, including 
Beijing and Shenzhen and 8 majority-held civil aviation 
subsidiaries, including Xiamen Airlines. Establishment 
of subsidiaries created advantage to better coordinate 
resources including local market, airports, large 
customers, channel and media, and supply transiting 
customers to the hubs. Meanwhile, the Company 
has set up 7 regional marketing centers, 23 domestic 
offices and 55 overseas offices in all continents. The 
Company has formed a comprehensive sales network 
with branches, holding companies, regional marketing 
centers and offices.

2.  Constantly enhanced ability to operate and manage 

Guangzhou-Beijing as dual core hubs. In accordance 
with the overall positioning of “One Headquarters, Dual 
Hubs”, CSA has striven to build two comprehensive 
international hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing to 
achieve two-wheel drive, thereby establishing a 
new profit model and development mode, and 
gradually develop a network-based airlines. In 2019, 
CSA deeply cultivated in the Greater Bay Area and 
endeavored to build the Guangzhou hub into a model 
of an international aviation hub co-constructed with 
provinces and cities. Presently, CSA has input more 
than 210 aircraft in Guangzhou. Guangzhou hub has 
formed its route network featured with Europe and 
Oceania as its core, Southeast Asia, Southern Asia 
and Eastern Asia as its hinterlands, and with North 
America, Middle East, Africa covered. The hub effect 
continued to appear. At the same time, CSA achieved 
a high-quality start in Beijing in 2019, and successfully 
completed the first flight and transit of the first batch 
of flights at Daxing Airport in 2019. According to 
the plan, as of the end of March 2021, the Group’s 
market share in Daxing Airport will reach about 43%, 
making it the largest airlines in Daxing Airport. By 
comprehensively advancing the strategic layout of the 
“dual hubs”, CSA has further improved its institutional 
mechanisms and supporting resources to form a new 
development strategy layout with Guangzhou Hub in 
the south and Beijing Hub in the north.

14

China Southern Airlines Company Limited About usCompany Business Summary3.  Constantly improved control and resources 

interoperability of integrated operation. With its 
scale of having multiple bases, hubs, models and 
fleet, the Company has formed an initial control 
pattern of “headquarter for overall management, 
branches and subsidiaries, regional marketing center, 
offices for execution, matrix unit for construction”, 
enabled more concentrated core resource, powerful 
coordinated command, timely dynamic responses 
and enhanced efficiency of resources distribution. 
Since the construction of the integrated operation, 
CSA has strengthened the platform construction and 
consolidated the support system through a sound 
management mechanism, and basically formed 
an integrated operation management framework 
of “centralized management and control, efficient 
decision-making, smooth communication, and 
coordinated system”, which has significantly improved 
flight operation efficiency. CSA deepened the 
reform of marketing, continued to optimize capacity 
investment, strengthened capacity matching with the 
market, and enhanced revenue management and 
control. It independently set up strategic department 
and operational department, strengthened marketing 
service quality management, and implemented a 
customer manager system on a trial basis, as a way 
to continuously optimize its marketing management 
and control layout.

4.  Striving for the world’s first-class brand service. CSA 

was clearly positioned to offer “affinity and refinement” 
service, and continuously improved service quality 
to build a first-class international service brand. Its 
brand influence has continued to increase at home 
and abroad. In 2019, the Company’s flight on-time 
performance rating continued to increase, leading the 
industry. The Company fully performed political and 
social responsibilities including guarantees for material 
tasks, supporting the poor to overcome difficulties, 
energy conservation and emission reduction, which 
strongly demonstrated the positive images of “Sunshine 
CSA” and “responsible state-owned enterprise”, fully 
accomplishing the major ensurence mission such 
as the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the 
new China. Major guarantee tasks such as the 70th 
anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic 
of China were successfully completed. CSA was 
selected as the “Top 100 Brand Models of Chinese 
Brands in 2019” (2019中國品牌強國盛典榜樣100品牌) 
by China Media Group, and was awarded the “Asian 
Service Award” by Asian Network for Quality, and the 
“Golden Phoenix Award” by sina.com.cn, and was 
named by Business Traveller as “China’s Best Airlines 
2019”.

5.  All-rounded leading position of information system. 
CSA has always attached importance to corporate 
information construction and has an information 
technology team composed of over 1,000 experts, 
which lays a solid foundation for relevant research 
and development. The Company constructed and 
reconstructed several IT systems, such as new 
version of official websites, mobile APP, WeChat 
platform, B2B, etc. This has formed passenger 
marketing, operation control, ground services, aviation 
safety, cargo transport, corporate management and 
public platform and many other systems, providing 
strong support for the strategic transformation and 
business development of the Company. These 
were the information construction accomplishments 
the Company achieved and generally accepted in 
the industry. Since 2016, CSA has fully promoted 
“Internet+” strategy, implemented the construction 
of e-commerce platform - “China Southern e-travel”, 
and fully created mobile user end one-stop service 
platform. At present, 318 functions on mobile platform 
of “China Southern e-travel” realized paperless 
operation for nearly the entire process. The concept 
of “a hassle-free journey with one mobile device” has 
been fully realized, with an accumulative number of 
56.46 million of APP startups and an accumulative 
number of 39.38 million social media followers. The 
key indicators continue to lead in industry.

15

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report    GUANGZHOU BAIYUN 
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Deeply Cultivated

the Greater Bay Area

to Build a Model of an 

International Aviation Hub 

Principal Accounting Information

Operating revenue

2019

2018

154,322

143,623

Net profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

2,640

2,895

Unit: RMB million

Increase/
(decrease) %

7.4

(8.8)

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Total assets

As of 31 December

2019

64,106

2018

65,257

306,928

246,949

Increase/
(decrease) %

(1.8)

24.29

Principal Financial Indicators

Basic earnings per share (RMB/share)

Diluted earnings per share (RMB/share)

2019

0.22

0.22

2018

0.27

0.27

Increase/
(decrease) %

(18.52)

(18.52)

18

China Southern Airlines Company Limited PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING INFORMATION  AND FINANCIAL INDICATORSOperating ResultsSUMMARY OF OPERATING DATA

189,588

206,106

230,697

259,194

284,921

22,388

24,387

27,321

30,334

32,625

RTK
(million)

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

235,616

255,992

280,646

314,421

344,062

32,205

34,980

38,332

42,728

46,434

ATK
(million)

40,000

32,000

24,000

16,000

8,000

0

RPK
(million)

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

ASK
(million)

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
(%)

OVERALL LOAD FACTOR
(%)

80.5

80.5

82.2

82.4

82.8

69.5

69.7

71.3

71.0

70.3

100

80

60

40

20

0

100

80

60

40

20

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

19

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportSummary of Operating Data

Traffic

Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Revenue tonne kilometers (RTK) (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

RTK – passenger (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

RTK – cargo (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Passengers carried (thousand)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

20

For the year ended 31 December

2019

2018

Increase/
(decrease) (%)

195,239.18 

178,972.96

3,258.71 

3,304.83

86,422.92 

76,916.01

284,920.82 

259,193.80

18,897.97 

17,437.56

312.80 

315.39

13,414.05 

12,580.72

32,624.82 

30,333.67

17,182.13 

15,764.81

286.62 

290.36

7,573.52 

6,745.45

25,042.27 

22,800.62

1,715.84 

1,672.75

26.18 

25.03

5,840.53 

5,835.27

7,582.55 

7,533.05

128,706.50 

119,494.01

2,480.54 

2,527.08

20,445.12 

17,863.96

151,632.16 

139,885.04

9.09

(1.40)

12.36

9.93

8.38

(0.82)

6.62

7.55

8.99

(1.29)

12.28

9.83

2.58

4.59

0.09

0.66

7.71

(1.84)

14.45

8.40

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsCargo and mail carried (thousand tonnes)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Capacity

Available seat kilometres (ASKs) (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Available tonne kilometres (ATKs) (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Available tonne kilometres (ATKs) – passenger (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Available tonne kilometres (ATKs) – cargo (million)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

For the year ended 31 December

2019

2018

Increase/
(decrease) (%)

1,052.13 

1,043.91

23.27 

688.16 

21.85

666.52

1,763.56 

1,732.28

235,216.49 

216,160.94

4,367.53 

4,383.59

104,477.84 

93,876.41

344,061.86

314,420.95

26,803.84 

24,549.52

506.71 

503.53

19,123.06 

17,674.93

46,433.61 

42,727.99

21,169.48 

19,454.49

393.08 

394.52

9,403.01 

8,448.88

30,965.57 

28,297.89

0.79

6.50

3.25

1.81

8.82

(0.37)

11.29

9.43

9.18

0.63

8.19

8.67

8.82

(0.37)

11.29

9.43

5,634.36 

5,095.03

10.59

113.64 

109.01

9,720.05 

9,226.06

15,468.05 

14,430.10

4.25

5.35

7.19

21

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportSummary of Operating Data

Load factor

Passenger load factor (RPK/ASK) (%)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Average:

Overall load factor (RTK/ATK) (%)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Average:

Yield

Yield per RPK (RMB)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Average:

Yield per RFTK (RMB)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Average:

Yield per RTK (RMB)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Average:

22

For the year ended 31 December
2018

2019

Increase/  
(decrease) 
percentage  

points

0.20

(0.78)

0.79

0.37

(0.53)

(0.90)

(1.03)

(0.73)

Increase/
(decrease) (%)

(3.70)

1.35

–

–

(2.56)

–

(5.15)

(4.51)

(1.79)

0.62

3.33

(0.22)

82.80

75.39

81.93

82.44

71.03

62.63

71.18

70.99

0.54

0.74

0.39

0.49

1.17

4.67

1.36

1.33

5.60

8.13

3.00

4.55

83.00

74.61

82.72

82.81

70.50

61.73

70.15

70.26

0.52

0.75

0.39

0.49

1.14

4.67

1.29

1.27

5.50

8.18

3.10

4.54

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsCost

Operating expenses per ATK (RMB)

3.20

3.28

(2.44)

For the year ended 31 December

2019

2018

Increase/
(decrease) (%)

Flight Volume

Kilometers flown (million)

Hours flown (thousand)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

Number of flights (thousand)

Domestic

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

International

Total:

1,875.52

1,762.92

6.39

2,249.15 

2,107.10

40.77 

661.45 

41.13

624.35

2,951.37 

2,772.58

963.42 

19.07 

135.39 

923.67

19.44

126.32

1,117.88 

1,069.43

6.74

(0.88)

5.94

6.45

4.30

(1.90)

7.18

4.53

Note:  Discrepancies between the column sum are due to rounding of percentage numbers.

23

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportSUMMARY OF  
FLEET DATA

As at 31 December 2019, the scale and structure of fleet and the delivery and disposal of aircraft of the Group were as 
follows:

Number of 
aircraft under 
operating 
lease

Number of 
aircraft under 
finance lease

Number 
of aircraft 
purchased

Unit: number of aircraft

Delivery 
during the 
reporting 
period

Disposal 
during the 
reporting 
period

Total number 
of aircraft at 
the end of 
the reporting 
period

Models

Passenger Aircraft

A380 Series

A350 Series

A330 Series

A320 Series

B787 Series

B777 Series

B757 Series

B737 Series

EMB190

Freighter

B777 Series

B747 Series

0

0

7

128

8

0

0

163

14

0

0

1

6

29

95

25

14

0

82

0

5

0

4

0

11

94

4

1

0

156

6

7

2

0

6

0

35

7

5

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

3

17

0

0

4

2

6

0

0

5

6

47

317

37

15

0

401

20

12

2

862

Total

320

257

285

54

32

24

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsFrom 2020 to 2022, the delivery and disposal plan of aircraft of the Group will be as follows:

2019

2020

2021

2022

Number of 
aircraft at 
the end of 
the period

Delivery Disposal

Estimated 
number at 
the end of 
the period

Delivery Disposal

Estimated 
number at 
the end of 
the period

Delivery Disposal

Estimated 
number at 
the end of 
the period

Unit: number of aircraft

5

6

47

317

37

15

401

20

/

848

12

2

14

862

/

6

/

30

5

1

36

/

6

84

2

/

2

86

/

/

7

18

/

/

1

11

/

37

/

/

/

37

5

12

40

329

42

16

436

9

6

895

14

2

16

911

/

4

/

12

/

/

48

/

8

72

/

/

/

72

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

3

/

3

/

/

/

3

5

16

40

341

42

16

484

6

14

964

14

2

16

980

/

4

/

/

/

/

39

/

8

51

/

/

/

51

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

/

5

20

40

341

42

16

523

6

22

1,015

14

2

16

1,031

Models

Passenger aircraft

Airbus

A380 Series

A350 Series

A330 Series

A320 Series

Boeing

B787 Series

B777 Series

B737 Series

Other

EMB190

ARJ21

Passenger Aircraft  

Sub-total

Freighter

B777 Series

B747 Series

Freighter Sub-total

Total

Note:

 

The possible adjustment of B737-8 aircraft delivery is not included in the above plan, and the subsequent introduction of B737 
series aircraft may be reduced.

	 The Company fleet’s introduction or disposal plans in the future will be subject to actual operation.

25

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportJanuary
China Southern Airlines entered into a memorandum of 
understanding with British Airways, as well as a memorandum 
of understanding and a code-sharing cooperation agreement 
with Emirates.

February
China Southern Airlines held an “Air Temple Fair” on its 
international flights to the Five continents, during which, China 
Southern Airlines invited passengers from all over the world 
to experience Chinese traditional culture and displayed the 
intangible cultural heritage of Guangzhou, PRC.

March

China Southern Airlines launched three routes, including 

H o t a n – U r u m q i – G u a n g z h o u , H o t a n – K o r l a – 
Chengdu and Kashgar – Hotan – Zhengzhou. Over the 
past three years, a total of 6 poverty alleviation routes 

have been launched.

May

China Southern Airlines and Civil Aviation University of China 
established a Key laboratory of artificial intelligence and a “Key 
Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence of Airlines” to promote the 
artificial intelligence research in civil aviation.

July
China Southern Airlines have constructed its Daxing Airport 
base in accordance with high standards, the construction of the 
five functionality sections was substantially completed. China 
Southern Airlines will have the hanger with the largest span in 

Asia, the largest operations control centre and aviation food 

production base in Asia.

26

China Southern Airlines Company Limited HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAROperating ResultsSeptember
Daxing Airport was formally put into operation on 25 

September. CSA’s flight CZ3001 was the first flight of Daxing 
Airport, from Beijing Daxing Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun 

International Airport. CSA has entered the era of Guangzhou-
Beijing “dual hub” echoing north and south and operating side 

by side.

September
China Southern Airlines formulated the CSAH’s Implementation 
Plan for Providing Services in Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macau 
Greater Bay Area, to promote the integrated development of 

Guangzhou-Shenzhen hubs.

October

China Southern Airlines launched “family service 360” 

products, with service concept of “action concurrent with 

words, affinity and refinement”, opening a new chapter for 

China Southern Airlines’ high-end cabin service to achieve 

the goal of “world first-class level”.

October

The first batch of 13 routes of China Southern Airlines was 

officially transitted to Daxing Airport. The Company’s market 

share in Daxing Airport will reach about 43% as at the end of 

March 2021 according to the plan, making it the largest main 

base airlines. 

December

China Southern Airlines became the first airline obtaining 
IATA baggage tracking compliance certification in Asia. The 
Company’s luggage tracking project covered 27 domestic 
and foreign airports in Guangzhou, Beijing (Beijing Capital 
International Airport and Daxing Airport), Los Angeles, London 
and other cities.

December

China Southern Airlines successively ensured its continuation in 
aviation safety in 2019 in past years. We have secured aviation 
safety in 20 consecutive years and aviation security in 25 

consecutive years, keeping our leading position in China’s 
civil aviation industry.

27

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report    BEIJING DAXING
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Start and Development

with High-Quality

Faced with rising risks and challenges at 
home and abroad, the Group accelerated 
the reform of its system and mechanism, 
made great efforts to modernise its 
governance system and capability, and 
adhered to safe development, high-quality 
development, innovative development, 
cooperative development, shared 
development and green development. 
During the reporting period, with the joint 
efforts of the management and all staff, 
the Group’s safety quality was improved 
continuously, passenger traffic volume 
reached a new record high, and brand 
image was greatly enhanced. 

Mr. Wang Chang Shun

Chairman

In 2019, the Group achieved 2.951 
million hours of safe flight and 
retained the best safety record 
among China’s airlines.

2.951million 

hours

The Group’s market share in 
Daxing Airport will reach 
approximately 43%, making it 
the largest main base airlines.

43% 

I.  Business Review

In 2019, the downward pressure on the world economy 
increased due to frequent international trade frictions, 
intensified global financial volatility, geopolitical risks 
and other factors. The World Economic Situation and 
Prospects 2020 issued by the United Nations shows 
that the global economic growth rate slowed down to 
2.3% in 2019, the lowest level over the past 10 years. 
Among which, the U.S. economy grew by 2.3% and the 
economy in the Euro Zone grew by 1.1%, representing 
a year-on-year decrease of 0.6 percentage point and 0.8 
percentage point, respectively. Economic growth rate in 
emerging markets and developing economies was 3.5%, 
representing a year-on-year decrease of 0.8 percentage 
point.

30

China Southern Airlines Company Limited MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISOperating ResultsThe daily utilisation rate of 
aircraft increased by

0.23

hour year-on-year

We have maintained  
aviation safety for

20years

The flight on-time performance  
rate increased by

2.36

percentage points
year-on-year

The number of passagers served 
in Guangzhou hub increased by

6.3

%

In 2019, under the general guideline of seeking progress 
while maintaining stability, China took structural reform on 
the supply side as the main line, promoted high-quality 
development and did well in the “six-stability” of stabilizing 
employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign capital, 
investment and expectations, and maintained a medium-
to-high-speed and healthy economic development. GDP 
increased by 6.1% year-on-year, among which, consumer 
spending contributed 57.8%.

Faced with rising risks and challenges at home and 
abroad, the Group accelerated the reform of its system and 
mechanism, made great efforts to modernise its governance 
system and capability, and adhered to safe development, 
high-quality development, innovative development, 
cooperative development, shared development and green 
development. During the reporting period, with the joint 
efforts of the management and all staff, the Group’s safety 
quality was improved continuously, passenger traffic volume 
reached a new record high, and brand image was greatly 
enhanced. In 2019, the Company served approximately 
152 million passengers, ranking first among China’s airlines 
for 41 consecutive years. The Company was enrolled in the 
“2019 China Brand Powerhouse Ceremony Model Among 
100 Brands” issued by China Central Radio and Television 
Station, won the “Asian Service Award” issued by Asian 
Network for Quality (ANQ) and the “Golden Phoenix Award” 
issued by SINA.com, and was awarded “2019 China’s Best 
Airline Company” by Business Traveller.

1.  Safety Operation

During the reporting period, the Group started the 
construction of safety management, promoted the 
transformation of safety management to institutionalisation, 
systematisation and informationisation. Efforts were made 
to build a regular mechanism for work style and discipline, 
safety supervision measures were intensified, and 
management performance was further improved. During the 
reporting period, the Group achieved 2.951 million hours 
of safety flight, with an accumulated safe flight of 26.386 
million hours. We have achieved 15,000 hours of general 
flight, secured aviation safety in 20 consecutive years and 
aviation security in 25 consecutive years, and continued to 
keep the best safety record among China’s airlines.

During the reporting period, the Group further promoted 
the construction of integrated operation, and effectively 
improved the operation quality and efficiency. We 
improved the management mechanism, promoted unified 
and standardised management of operation standards, 
integrated operation services, and greatly enhanced the 
support capacity for comprehensive service. The flight on-
time performance rate of the Company increased by 2.36 
percentage points year-on-year, and the daily utilisation rate 
of aircraft increased by 0.23 hour year-on-year in 2019.

31

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

2.  Network and Hub

During the reporting period, the Group started the 
construction of two comprehensive international hubs in 
Guangzhou and Beijing in accordance with the orientation 
of “One Headquarter, Dual Hubs”.

We have built the Beijing hub with high efficiency and 
high quality. The CSA base have been put into use 
simultaneously with Beijing Daxing International Airport, 
successfully completing the first flight and the transition of 
the first 13 routes. We have worked out a hub construction 
plan and supporting airline network planning and marketing 
strategy in terms of Beijing Daxing International Airport, 
ensuring a high-quality start and development of the Beijing 
hub. According to the plan, upon finishing the transition 
by the end of March 2021, the Group’s market share in 
Daxing Airport will reach about 43%, and it will be the 
largest airlines in Daxing Airport.

We have continuously broadened the “Canton Route”, and 
promoted the coordinated development of the aviation 
market in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay 
Area, contributing to the construction of the world’s first-

class bay area. During the reporting period, we have 
newly launched 3 routes including Guangzhou-Vienna, 
Guangzhou-Cebu and Guangzhou-Nagoya, with 66 
international and regional routes in Guangzhou. We have 
served the construction of Shenzhen’s pilot demonstration 
zone, promoted the coordinated development of 
Guangzhou and Shenzhen markets, and newly launched 
route from Shenzhen to Tokyo Narita International Airport. 
We have given full play to the scale advantages of CSA 
network and introduced 6 “Bay Area Link” products, 
including CSA express line, off-site transfer and cross-
city airport pickup/drop-off, making it easier and more 
comfortable for passengers to travel. In 2019, the number 
of passengers served in Guangzhou hub increased by 6.3%, 
making the hub effect to emerge continuously.

3.  Marketing

During the reporting period, under the new market 
concept, the Group adhered to high-quality development 
and connotative development, and achieved results 
gradually. We emphasised the matching of transportation 
capacity and market, transportation capacity and price 
and strengthened revenue management. The Company 
continued to deepen and strengthen the reform in the 
field of marketing, promoted “comprehensive revenue” 
management and conducted centralised control of 
core resources. It aimed at maximising the marginal 
contribution and continuously adjusted and optimised 
the route network structure. It focused on the domestic 
market and performed steady international market 
development and the profitability of international routes 
continued to improve.

We have further strengthened our customer base, 
given full play to our territorial advantages, vigorously 
expanding the Group’s customers and frequent flyer. 
During the year, 9.22 million new Sky Pearl members 
were enrolled, increased by 62% year-on-year. The total 
number of Sky Pearl members reached 48.96 million, 
realising RMB51.7 billion of frequent flyer income, 

The round-trip flights of 
international and regional  
routes through Guangzhou  
hub has reached 

66up to

CSA pearl members reached

48.96million, 

representing an increase  
of 23% year-on-year

MEMBER

32

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Resultsincreased by 18.32% year-on-year. There were 3,243 
new major customers, accounting for 13.65% of the 
Group’s revenue, increased by 1.9 percentage points 
year-on-year. We continued to enrich product shelves 
and introduced products such as self-service cabin 
upgrading and neighbour-free seats. During the year, 
the miscellaneous income increased significantly year-
on-year.

We focused on the high-end businesses, sought 
changes, adopted differentiated competitive strategies, 
and effectively enhanced the income from belly-hold. 
We integrated freight resources and took the lead 
in launching a mobile online sales platform in China. 
CSA Advanced-Class Express product , temperature 
controlled product and other high-end emerging 
businesses increased by 14% year-on-year.

4.  Cost Control

During the reporting period, the Group continued to 
strengthen cost control and fund management. The 
Group has deepened the transformation of its financial 
control system, set up a business financial center, and 
promoted cost control from the source. The Group has 
adopted various measures to reduce financing costs and 
continuously optimise the debt structure. The effect of 
refined financial management was increasingly apparent.

We have strengthened cost controls on major items, with 
the fuel consumption per ton kilometer decreased by 3.95% 
year-on-year. We strengthened all kinds of fund control 
and the concentration of funds continued to increase. We 

The fuel consumption per  
ton kilometer decreased by

3.95% 

year-on-year

Saving foreign exchange  
purchase cost of

RMB

50million

vigorously reduced the balance of funds, actively expanded 
financing channels, reasonably matched the debt maturity 
structure, and increased direct debt financing. We flexibly 
used various direct financing tools such as ultra-short-term 
financing bills, medium-term notes and corporate bonds 
to reduce the Group’s financing costs. Measures such 
as hedging and optimising the US dollar debt stock were 
taken to hedge the exchange rate risk, greatly reducing the 
risk exposure and saving foreign exchange purchase cost 
of RMB50 million.

33

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

5.  External Cooperation

During the reporting period, 
the Group advocated the 
cooperation concept of open and 
sharing, as well as accelerated 
the construction of a new type 
of international cooperation 
relationship and an international 
business model in line with the 
actual situation of the Company.

We have fully protected the rights 
and interests of passengers 
and launched “CZ Priority” 
service brand to ensure the 
members enjoy the original 
privileges and realise a smooth 
transition for leaving SkyTeam 
Alliance. We have deepened 
cooperation with mainstream 
airlines such as American 
Airlines, British Airways, Emirates 
and Qatar Airways. We have 
also continued to consolidate 
cooperation with member airlines 
of SkyTeam Alliance such as Air France-KLM and 
Delta Air Lines independently. We have strengthened 
in-depth exchanges with international partners, 
absorbed management experience in operation, flight, 
transportation and service of world-class airlines, and 
steadily pushed forward internationalisation.

Currently, the Company has cooperated with 28 
domestic and foreign airlines such as American Airlines, 
British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Qantas 
Airways on 531 routes (including trunk routes and long-
distance flight routes) for code-sharing. Xiamen Airlines 
has cooperated with 21 domestic and foreign airlines 
on 578 routes (including trunk routes and long-distance 
flight routes) for code-sharing, further expanding the 
sales channels and route network of the Group.

The Company has  
co-operated with 28 domestic  
and foreign airlines on

531routes

34

6.  Service Brand

During the reporting period, the Group fulfilled sincere service 
concept and systematically improved the whole process 
service experience of passengers. We have innovated 
the service mode and improved the service experience of 
delayed passengers regarding sales, service and information 
acquisition. We have implemented the requirement of “affinity 
and refinement”, introduced two-cabin “family service 360” 
products, expanded 195 fine “Kapok International” routes, 
and achieved full coverage of international long-haul routes 
and regional key routes. We promoted the baggage tracking 
program in an all-round way and became the first airline in 
Asia obtaining IATA baggage tracking compliance certification. 
We have implemented the upgrade of “China Southern 
e-Travel”, and the paperless self-service in the whole process 
has brought more convenient travel experience to passengers. 
In 2019, the proportion of non-counter check-in passengers 
reached 79.3%, ranking top among major domestic airlines. 
The overall satisfaction of passengers of the Company 
increased by 1.38% year-on-year.

The Group strengthened the promotion of brand image 
overseas, ranking first in the overseas image communication 
index of central enterprises for two consecutive years. We 
actively participated in international exhibitions in key overseas 
markets, reaching more than 200,000 industry representatives 
and mainstream customers around the world and promoting 

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Resultsthe Company’s important products and services. We 
sponsored Sydney Festival and the Australian Football League 
(AFL), targeting more than 10 million Australian local TV 
audiences and gaining more than 9 million online exposure, 
and went deep among the international mainstream to 
promote our brand and international image. In the Top 50 
Most Valuable Airline Brands 2019 released by Brand Finance, 
CSA ranked first among Chinese airlines.

7.  Reform and Development

During the reporting period, the Group continuously 
intensified its reform efforts and consolidated its 
development foundation. We steadily pushed forward the 
“Double Hundred Action”, set up CSA Freight Logistics 
Co., Ltd. (中國南方航空貨運有限公司) and continued to 
improve the mixed-ownership reform plan for SAGA. We 
implemented a completely new salary system for employees 
and established a complete post management system, a 
total salary increase mechanism and an employee salary 
increase mechanism. We continued to deepen the market-
oriented reform, continued to push forward the reform of 
the regional marketing system, and set up the European 
marketing center. We also continued to promote scientific 
and technological innovation and information construction, 
established the Department of Scientific and Technological 
Information & Process Management, and built up our core 
competitiveness.

We revised and improved the Development Outline of 
Building World-class Air Transport Enterprises with High 
Quality, giving more prominence to quality, efficiency 
and performance. We formulated the Action Plan to 
Serve Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area 
to promote the integrated development of Guangzhou-
Shenzhen hubs. We strengthened the cooperation of “China 
Southern Alliance”, signed group customer settlement 
agreements with Xiamen Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, 
carried out route cooperation with Xiamen Airlines on 52 
flight segments, and deepened marketing cooperation with 
Sichuan Airlines on 10 flight segments.

8.  Social Responsibility

The Group has always taken green development as one 
of its core principles. During the reporting period, we 
continued to improve the efficiency of aviation fuel usage 
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through technological 
optimisation, management improvement and big data 
analysis. We participated in the formulation of global aviation 
oil data standards and provided a Chinese proposal for the 
formulation of global aviation data standards. We applied bio-
aviation oil to carry out intercontinental flights for the first time, 
and promoted the world’s first 10,000-ton EU carbon quota 
and Guangdong carbon quota swap business.

35

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

During the reporting period, the 
Group has commenced the 
construction of two major 
comprehensive international hubs 
at Guangzhou and Beijing, lead by 
the new market concept, focused 
on high quality development, 
increased reform efforts, 
strengthened cost control, 
achieving the operating profit of 
RMB10,838 million.

Mr. Ma Xu Lun

Vice Chairman and President

We actively served the society. Taking the advantages of 
the aviation business and considering the actual conditions, 
we helped the local people get rid of poverty and strive for 
a relatively comfortable life. We launched 102 routes along 
“The Belt and Road” by the end of the reporting period, 
actively getting involved into overseas communities, and 
helping the countries along “The Belt and Road” to achieve 
connectivity in facilities, trade and culture. We actively 
carried out special flights, voluntary public welfare and 
other undertakings, giving full play to our own resources 
and expertise to benefit the society.

II.  Financial Performance

Part of the financial information presented in this section 
is derived from the Group’s audited consolidated financial 
statements that have been prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs.

The profit attributable to equity shareholders of the 
Company of RMB2,640 million was recorded in 2019 as 
compared to the profit attributable to equity shareholders 
of the Company of RMB2,895 million in 2018. The 
Group’s operating revenue increased by RMB10,699 
million or 7.45% from RMB143,623 million in 2018 to 
RMB154,322 million in 2019. Passenger load factor 
increased by 0.37 percentage point from 82.44% in 
2018 to 82.81% in 2019. Passenger yield (in passenger 
revenue per RPK) is RMB0.49 in 2018 and 2019. Average 
yield (in traffic revenue per RTK) decreased by 0.22% 
from RMB4.55 in 2018 to RMB4.54 in 2019. Operating 
expenses increased by RMB8,366 million or 5.97% from 
RMB140,242 million in 2018 to RMB148,608 million in 
2019. As a result of increase of operating revenue netted 
off by the increase of operating expenses, operating profit 
of RMB10,838 million was recorded in 2019 as compared 
to operating profit of RMB8,819 million in 2018, increased 
by RMB2,019 million.

36

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsIII.  Operating Revenue

Traffic revenue
Including: Passenger revenue
  – Domestic
  – Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
  – International
  Cargo and mail revenue

Other operating revenue
Mainly including:
  Commission income
  Ground services income
  General aviation income
  Hotel and tour operation income

Total operating revenue

Less: fuel surcharge income

Total operating revenue excluding  

fuel surcharge

2019

2018

Operating revenue
RMB million

Percentage
%

Operating revenue
RMB million

Percentage
%

Changes in revenue
%

148,117
138,502
101,955
2,437
34,110
9,615
6,205

2,952
409
564
712

154,322

(7,479)

146,843

95.98

4.02

100.00

138,064
128,038
95,773
2,446
29,819
10,026
5,559

2,619
429
476
676

143,623

(7,454)

136,169

96.13

3.87

100.00

7.28
8.17
6.45
(0.37)
14.39
(4.10)
11.62

12.71
(4.66)
18.49
5.33

7.45

0.34

7.84

37

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

TRAFFIC REVENUE COMPOSITION
(RMB million)

128,038
(92.74%)

138,502
(93.51%)

2018

2019

10,026
(7.26%)

9,615
(6.49%)

Revenue from passengers

Revenue from cargo
and mail

PASSENGER REVENUE COMPOSITION
(RMB million)

95,773
(74.80%)

101,955
(73.61%)

2018

2019

2,446
(1.91%)

2,437
(1.76%)

29,819
(23.29%)

34,110
(24.63%)

Domestic passenger

Hong Kong, Macau and
Taiwan passenger

International passenger

Substantially all of the Group’s operating revenue is 
attributable to airlines transport operations. Traffic revenue 
accounted for 96.13% and 95.98% of the total operating 
revenue in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Passenger 
revenue and cargo and mail revenue accounted for 93.51% 
and 6.49%, respectively, of the total traffic revenue in 
2019. During the reporting period, the Group’s total traffic 
revenue was RMB148,117 million, representing an increase 
of RMB10,053 million or 7.28% from prior year, mainly due 
to the increase in transport capacity and traffic volume. The 
other operating revenue is mainly derived from commission 

income, hotel and tour operation income, general aviation 
income and ground services income.

The increase in operating revenue was primarily due to 
8.17% increase in passenger revenue from RMB128,038 
million in 2018 to RMB138,502 million in 2019. The total 
number of passengers carried increased by 8.40% to 
151.63 million passengers in 2019. RPKs increased by 
9.93% from 259,194 million in 2018 to 284,921 million in 
2019, primarily as a result of the increase in number of 
passengers carried.

38

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsDomestic passenger revenue, which accounted for 73.61% 
of the total passenger revenue in 2019, increased by 6.45% 
from RMB95,773 million in 2018 to RMB101,955 million 
in 2019. Domestic passenger traffic in RPKs increased by 
9.09%, while passenger capacity in ASKs increased by 
8.82%, resulting in an increase in passenger load factor 
by 0.20 percentage point from 82.80% in 2018 to 83.00% 
in 2019. Domestic passenger yield per RPK decreased by 
3.70% from RMB0.54 in 2018 to RMB0.52 in 2019.

International passenger revenue, which accounted for 
24.63% of total passenger revenue, increased by 14.39% 
from RMB29,819 million in 2018 to RMB34,110 million in 
2019. For international flights, passenger traffic in RPKs 
increased by 12.36%, while passenger capacity in ASKs 
increased by 11.29%, resulting in a 0.79 percentage point 
increase in passenger load factor from 81.93% in 2018 to 
82.72% in 2019. Passenger yield per RPK is RMB0.39 in 
2018 and 2019.

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan passenger revenue, 
which accounted for 1.76% of total passenger revenue, 
decreased by 0.37% from RMB2,446 million in 2018 to 
RMB2,437 million in 2019. For Hong Kong, Macau and 
Taiwan flights, passenger traffic in RPKs decreased by 
1.40%, while passenger capacity in ASKs decreased by 
0.37%, resulting in a decrease in passenger load factor by 
0.78 percentage point from 75.39% in 2018 to 74.61% in 
2019. Passenger yield per RPK increased from RMB0.74 in 
2018 to RMB0.75 in 2019.

Cargo and mail revenue, which accounted for 6.49% of the 
Group’s total traffic revenue and 6.23% of total operating 
revenue, decreased by 4.10% from RMB10,026 million 
in 2018 to RMB9,615 million in 2019. The decrease was 
mainly attributable to the decrease in yield per RFTK.

Other operating revenue increased by 11.62% from 
RMB5,559 million in 2018 to RMB6,205 million in 
2019. The increase was primarily due to the increase in 
commission income and general aviation income.

IV.  Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses in 2019 amounted to RMB148,608 million, representing an increase of 5.97% or RMB8,366 
million comparing to that of 2018, mainly due to the increase in depreciation and amortisation expenses as impacted by 
the initial adoption of IFRS 16 on 1 Janaury 2019. Total operating expenses as a percentage of total operating revenue 
decreased from 97.65% in 2018 to 96.30% in 2019.

Operating expenses

2019

2018

RMB million

Percentage (%)

RMB million

Percentage (%)

Flight operation expenses

70,566

47.48

76,216

54.35

Mainly including:

  Jet fuel costs

  Aircraft operating lease charges

  Flight personnel payroll and welfare

Maintenance expenses

Aircraft and transportation service 

expenses

Promotion and selling expenses

General and administrative expenses

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment losses on property, plant 

and equipment

Others

42,814

1,412

12,709

13,057

26,591

7,755

4,073

24,620

18

1,928

42,922

8,726

11,467

12,704

24,379

7,036

3,770

14,308

–

1,829

8.79

17.89

5.22

2.74

16.57

0.01

1.30

9.06

17.38

5.02

2.69

10.20

–

1.30

Total operating expenses

148,608

100.00

140,242

100.00

39

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

COMPOSITION OF OPERATING EXPENSES IN 2019
(RMB million)

70,566
(47.48%)

18
(0.01%)

1,928
(1.30%)

4,073
(2.74%)

7,755
(5.22%)

2019

Flight operation expenses

Aircraft and transportation
service expenses

Depreciation and amortisation

Maintenance expenses

Promotion and selling expenses

General and administrative
expenses

Others

Impairment losses on property, 
plant and equipment

26,591
(17.89%)

24,620
(16.57%)

13,057
(8.79%)

COMPARISON OF OPERATING EXPENSES IN 2019 AND 2018
(RMB million)

Flight operation
expenses

Aircraft and
transportation
service expenses

Depreciation and
amortisation

Maintenance
expenses

Promotion and
selling expenses

24,379

26,591

24,620

14,308

12,704

13,057

7,036

7,755

General and
administrative
expenses

3,770

4,073

Impairment losses
on property, plant
and equipment

-

18

Others

1,829

1,928

40

76,216

70,566 

2018

2019

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating ResultsFlight operation expenses, which accounted for 47.48% 
of total operating expenses, decreased by 7.41% from 
RMB76,216 million in 2018 to RMB70,566 million in 
2019, mainly due to the decrease in operating lease 
charges as impacted by the initial adoption of IFRS 16 
on 1 Janaury 2019.

VI.  Other Net Income

Other net income decreased by RMB314 million from 
RMB5,438 million in 2018 to RMB5,124 million in 2019, 
mainly due to the decrease in gains on disposal of property, 
plant and equipment and construction in progress.

Maintenance expenses, which accounted for 8.79% 
of total operating expenses, increased by 2.78% from 
RMB12,704 million in 2018 to RMB13,057 million in 
2019, along with the fleet expansion.

Aircraft and transportation service expenses, which 
accounted for 17.89% of total operating expenses, 
increased by 9.07% from RMB24,379 million in 2018 to 
RMB26,591 million in 2019. The increase was primarily 
due to a 10.50% increase in landing and navigation fees 
from RMB15,980 million in 2018 to RMB17,658 million 
in 2019, resulted from the increase in the numbers of 
flights.

Promotion and selling expenses, which accounted 
for 5.22% of total operating expenses, increased by 
10.22% from RMB7,036 million in 2018 to RMB7,755 
million in 2019, mainly due to the increase in ticket office 
expenses and other promotion and selling expenses.

General and administrative expenses, which accounted 
for 2.74% of the total operating expenses, increased 
by 8.04% from RMB3,770 million in 2018 to RMB4,073 
million in 2019, mainly due to the increase in general 
corporate expenses.

Depreciation and amortisation, which accounted for 
16.57% of the total operating expenses, increased by 
72.07% from RMB14,308 million in 2018 to RMB24,620 
million in 2019, mainly due to the initial adoption of IFRS 
16 on 1 Janaury 2019, based on which, depreciation 
expenses over the right-of-use assets were recognised.

V.  Operating Profit

Operating profit of RMB10,838 million was recorded in 
2019 (2018: RMB8,819 million). The increase in operating 
profit was mainly due to the net effect of increase in 
operating revenue by RMB10,699 million or 7.45% 
compared with 2018, as a result of the increase in 
transport capacity and traffic volume; and the increase in 
operating expenses by RMB8,366 million or 5.97%, due to 
the increase in depreciation and amortisation expenses.

VII. Income Tax

Income tax expense of RMB971 million was recorded in 
2019, decreased by RMB29 million from RMB1,000 million 
in 2018.

VIII. Liquidity, Financial Resources and 

Capital Structure

As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s current liabilities 
exceeded its current assets by RMB78,752 million. For 
the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group recorded 
a net cash inflow from operating activities of RMB31,175 
million, a net cash outflow from investing activities of 
RMB14,427 million and a net cash outflow from financing 
activities of RMB21,833 million, which in total resulted in a 
net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of RMB5,085 
million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was 
benefited from the Group’s strict control on financing costs 
and efforts made to reduce the high levels of both saving 
and borrowing.

The Group is dependent on its ability to maintain adequate 
cash inflow from operations, its ability to maintain existing 
external financing, and its ability to obtain new external 
financing to meet its debt obligations as they fall due 
and to meet its committed future capital expenditures. 
The Group’s policy is to regularly monitor its liquidity 
requirements and its compliance with lending covenants, 
to ensure that it maintains sufficient reserves of cash and 
adequate committed lines of funding from major financial 
institutions to meet its liquidity requirements in the short 
and longer term. As at 31 December 2019, the Group 
had banking facilities with several PRC banks and financial 
institutions for providing bank financing up to approximately 
RMB308,343 million (31 December 2018: RMB243,910 
million), of which approximately RMB251,165 million (31 
December 2018: RMB193,871 million) was unutilised. The 
Directors of the Company believe that sufficient financing 
will be available to the Group when and where needed.

41

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

The analyses of the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities are as follows:

Composition of interest-bearing liabilities

Obligations under finance leases
Lease liabilities
Borrowings

Fixed rate interest-bearing liabilities
Floating rate interest-bearing liabilities

Analysis of interest-bearing liabilities by currency

31 December 2019
RMB million

31 December 2018
RMB million

–
134,074
51,180

100,660
84,594

72,221
–
54,417

33,692
92,946

31 December 2019
RMB million

31 December 2018
RMB million

70,260
109,946
5,048

185,254

33,677
87,333
5,628

126,638

33,677
(26.59%)

5,048
(2.72%)

70,260
(37.93%)

2018

2019

87,333
(68.96%)

109,946
(59.35%)

USD

RMB

Others

USD
RMB
Others

Total

5,628
(4.45%)

42

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturity analysis of interest-bearing liabilities

Within 1 year
After 1 year but within 2 years
After 2 years but within 5 years
After 5 years

Total

Interest expense and net exchange loss

31 December 2019
RMB million

31 December 2018
RMB million

57,541
23,022
62,544
42,147

185,254

48,296
17,329
38,289
22,724

126,638

Interest expense increased by RMB2,643 million from RMB3,202 million in 2018 to RMB5,845 million in 2019, mainly due 
to the increase of interest on the lease liabilities as impacted by the initial adoption of IFRS 16 in 2019.

Net exchange loss of RMB1,477 million was recorded in 2019, as compared with a net exchange loss of RMB1,853 
million in 2018. Net exchange loss was primarily attributable to the exchange difference arising from the interest-bearing 
liabilities dominated in USD, along with the appreciation of USD against RMB.

The Group’s capital structure at the end of the year is as follows:

Total liabilities (RMB million)
Total assets (RMB million)
Debt ratio

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

Change

229,599
306,928
74.81%

168,480
246,949
68.22%

36.28%
24.29%
Increase by 6.59
percentage points

The Group monitors capital on the basis of debt ratio, which is calculated as total liabilities divided by total assets. The 
debt ratio increased by 6.59 percentage points, mainly due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as 
impacted by the initial adoption of IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019.

IX.  Major Charge on Assets

As at 31 December 2019, certain aircraft of the Group with an aggregate carrying value of approximately RMB339 million (31 
December 2018: RMB373 million) were mortgaged under certain loans.

X.  Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had capital commitments (excluding investment commitment) of approximately 
RMB86,246 million (31 December 2018: RMB103,485 million). Of such amounts, RMB71,224 million (31 December 2018: 
RMB82,199 million) related to the acquisition of aircraft and related flight equipment and RMB15,022 million (31 December 
2018: RMB21,286 million) for other projects.

43

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

The Group had investment commitments as follows:

Authorised and contracted for:

Share of capital commitments of a joint venture
Capital contributions for acquisition of non-controlling  

interests in a subsidiary

Capital contributions for acquisition of interest in a joint venture

Authorised but not contracted for:

Share of capital commitments of a joint venture

31 December 2019

31 December 2018

RMB million

RMB million

322

232

–

554

31

585

26

–

14

40

21

61

Contingent liabilities

(3)  The Company and its subsidiary, Xiamen Airlines, 

entered into agreements with certain pilot trainees and 
certain banks to provide guarantees on personal bank 
loans amounting to RMB696 million (31 December 
2018: RMB696 million) that can be drawn by the 
pilot trainees to finance their respective flight training 
expenses. As at 31 December 2019, total personal 
bank loans of RMB275 million (31 December 2018: 
RMB318 million), under these guarantees, were drawn 
down from the banks. During the year, no payment 
has been made by the Group (2018: RMB1 million) 
due to the default of payments of certain pilot trainees.

(1)  The Group leased certain properties and buildings 
from CSAH which were located in Guangzhou, 
Wuhan, Haikou, etc. However, such properties and 
buildings lack adequate documentation evidencing 
CSAH’s rights thereto. Pursuant to the indemnification 
agreement dated 22 May 1997 between the Group 
and CSAH, CSAH has agreed to indemnify the Group 
against any loss or damage arising from any challenge 
of the Group’s right to use the certain properties and 
buildings.

(2)  The Group entered into certain agreements with 

CSAH in prior years to acquire certain land use right 
and buildings from CSAH. The change of business 
registration of such land use right and buildings are 
still in progress. CSAH issued letters of commitment 
to the Company, committing to indemnify the Group 
against any claims from third parties to the Group, or 
any loss or damage in the Group’s operation activities 
due to lack adequate documentation of the certain 
properties and buildings, without recourse to the 
Group.

44

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
XI.  Reconciliation of Differences in Financial Statements Prepared under PRC 

GAAP and IFRSs 

Difference in net profit and equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company disclosed 
in financial reports under IFRSs and PRC GAAP

Unit: RMB million

Net profit attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Company

January – 
December 2019

January – 
December 2018

Equity attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Company
31 December 
2019

31 December  

2018

Amounts under PRC GAAP
Adjustments under IFRSs:
Government grants
Capitalisation of exchange difference of specific 

loans

Adjustments arising from the Company’s business 

combination under common control
Tax impact of the above adjustments
Effect of the above adjustments on non-controlling 

interests

Amounts under IFRSs

2,651

2,983

63,863

65,003

1

(16)

–
4

–

1

(124)

–
31

4

(6)

56

237
(12)

(32)

(7)

72

237
(16)

(32)

2,640

2,895

64,106

65,257

Explanation of differences between PRC GAAP and IFRSs

3. 

1. 

2. 

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, exchange 
difference arising on translation of specific loans and 
related interest denominated in a foreign currency is 
capitalised as part of the cost of qualifying assets. 
Under IFRSs, such exchange difference should be 
recognised in income statement unless the exchange 
difference represents an adjustment to interest.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, assets related 
government grants (other than special funds) are 
deducted from the cost of the related assets. Special 
funds granted by the government and clearly defined 
in the approval documents as part of “capital reserve” 
are accounted for as increase in capital reserve. Under 
IFRSs, assets related government grants are deducted 
to the cost of the related assets. The difference is 
resulted from government grants received in previous 
years and are recognised in capital reserve under PRC 
GAAP.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, the Company 
accounts for the business combination under 
common control by applying the pooling-of-interest 
method. Under the pooling-of-interest method, the 
difference between the historical carrying amount of 
the acquiree and the consideration paid is accounted 
for as an equity transaction. Business combinations 
under common control are accounted for as if the 
acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the 
earliest comparative year presented or, if later, at the 
date that common control was established; for this 
purpose, relevant comparative figures are restated 
under PRC GAAP. Under IFRSs, the Company adopts 
the purchase accounting method for acquisition of 
business under common control.

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Management Discussion and Analysis

XII.  Capital Needs for Maintaining the Existing Business Operation and 

Completing the Investment Projects under Construction

Commitments

Contractual arrangement Time schedule

Financing 
methods

Commitments in respect of 
aircraft, engines and flight 
equipment of RMB71,224 million

Authorised and contracted RMB41,442 million within 1 year  

Debt financing

(inclusive of 1 year);

RMB21,077 million after 1 year  

but within 2 years (inclusive of 2 years);

RMB5,464 million after 2 years  

but within 3 years (inclusive of 3 years);

RMB3,241 million after 3 years

Investment commitments of 
RMB232 million (Note)

Authorised and contracted /

Other commitments of RMB4,571 

Authorised and contracted /

million

Other

Other

Note: excluding the capital commitment of joint venture attributable to the Company amounted to RMB322 million.

Upon prediction on the cash flows for the eighteen months ending 30 June 2021, the Group is of the view that the Group 
will have sufficient funds to meet the needs for working capital and capital expenditures during such period. The Group’s 
ability to pay off the payable due liabilities mainly depends on the Group’s net inflow of working capital and the ability to 
obtain external financing. As for future capital commitment and other financing demand, as of 31 December 2019, the 
Group has obtained a maximum credit line of RMB308,343 million for 2019 and subsequent years from several PRC 
banks, of which, the unused bank credit lines reached RMB251,165 million. The Group believes that it will be able to 
obtain such financing.

XIII. Analysis of Operational Information from Industrial Perspective 

1.  Major information of operations

Volume of 
passenger 
transported (person)

Passenger load 

factor (%) Total load factor (%)

Daily utilization rate 
(hours)

1,130,099
356,352
9,827,733
54,784,950
5,787,552
2,554,176
74,530,489
2,660,813

/
/
/

86.4
83.2
84.4
81.2
82.3
85.6
83.3
80.6

/
/
82.8

65.4
53.4
62.6
72.7
57.6
60.8
74.0
68.5

82.3
74.5
70.3

10.2
11.4
11.7
9.8
11.8
12.4
9.7
8.1

13.5
0.9
9.96

Models

Passenger aircraft
A380 series
A350 series
A330 series
A320 series
B787 series
B777 series
B737 series
EMB190

Freighter

B777 series
B747 series

Average

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  Capital arrangement for introducing aircraft and related equipment during the reporting 

period

Capital arrangement

Models introduced during the 
reporting period

Operating lease

Finance lease

Purchased

Unit: number of aircraft

Number of aircraft 
introduced during 
the reporting 
period

A320NEO 
A321NEO 
A330-300 
B737-8
B787-9
B777-300ER
A350-900
Total

13
6
0
0
3
0
0
22

7
5
0
1
4
5
6
28

0
4
0
0
0
0
0
4

20
15
0
1
7
5
6
54

3.  Capital expenditure plan and relevant financing plan for aircraft and related equipment 

during 2020-2022

Capital expenditure 
commitments of aircraft and  
related equipment

Commitments in respect of 
aircraft, engines and flight 
equipment of RMB71,224 million

Contractual arrangement Time schedule

Financing 
methods

Authorised and contracted RMB41,442 million within 1 year  

Debt financing

(inclusive of 1 year); 

RMB21,077 million after 1 year  

but within 2 years (inclusive of 2 years); 

RMB5,464 million after 2 years  

but within 3 years (inclusive of 3 years); 

RMB3,241 million after 3 years 

4.  Expected yield from aircraft purchased during the reporting period

During the reporting period, the Company entered into the ARJ21-700 Aircraft Sale and Purchase Agreement with 
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. to acquire 35 ARJ21-700 aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of 
China, Ltd..

Assuming that there are no major changes in the market conditions and based on the comprehensive cabin layout of 
similar aircraft of the Company, the specific route structure in the past three years and the average seat kilometer yield 
level in combination with the cabin layout of newly introduced ARJ21-700 aircraft, it is expected that the overall yield per 
RPK will be approximately RMB0.569 after the ARJ21-700 aircraft purchased have been put into service.

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Management Discussion and Analysis

5. 

Increase of captain and copilot and annual average flying hours of captain and copilot in 
service during the reporting period

Items

Captain

Copilot

Other pilots

Increase (person)

345

485

46

Annual average flying 

hours 

815

785

/

6.  New flight routes during the reporting 
period and future launching plan

XIV.  Analysis on Investments

During the reporting period, the Company increased flights 
for Guangzhou – Beijing Daxing, Guangzhou – Zhengzhou, 
Guangzhou – Hangzhou, Guangzhou – Nanjing, Guangzhou 
– Sanya, Guangzhou – Qingdao, Beijing Daxing – Kunming, 
Beijing Daxing – Haikou, Shenzhen – Changchun, Shenzhen 
– Harbin, Shanghai – Xining, Wuhan – Chongqing and 
other domestic routes; the Company also expanded to 
Vienna, Cebu, Macau and other international and regional 
destinations, and launched Wuhan – New York, Zhengzhou 
– London, Guangzhou – Urumqi – Vienna, Guangzhou 
– Changsha – Nairobi, Wuhan – Istanbul, Guangzhou – 
Cebu, Guangzhou – Tokyo Narita, Guangzhou – Kunming 
– Istanbul, Pudong – Tokyo Narita, Pudong – Nagoya, 
Pudong – Bangkok, Wuhan – Macau, Changsha – Macau 
and other international and regional routes.

In 2020, the Company will continue to optimize the input 
of transport capacity and aim at maximising the marginal 
contribution to improve the network layout and intends 
to increase flights for Beijing Daxing – Guangzhou, 
Beijing Daxing – Shenzhen, Beijing Daxing – Shanghai, 
Guangzhou – Jinan, Guangzhou – Kunming, Guangzhou 
– Xi’an, Guangzhou – Haikou, Guangzhou – Nanjing and 
other routes; and to launch Beijing Daxing – London, 
Beijing Daxing – Moscow, Beijing Daxing – Tokyo Haneda, 
Beijing Daxing – Osaka, Beijing Daxing – Amsterdam, 
Beijing Daxing – Dubai, Guangzhou – Manado and other 
international routes.

1.  Major equity investment

On 1 March 2019, the Company entered into the capital 
increase agreement with CSAH, Xiamen Airlines, Shantou 
Airlines, Zhuhai Airlines and Guangzhou Nanland Air 
Catering Company Limited (“Nanland Company”). The 
parties agreed the Company to increase its capital 
contribution of RMB500 million to Finance Company, while 
CSAH, Xiamen Airlines, Shantou Airlines, Zhuhai Airlines 
and Nanland Company agreed to waive their rights of 
capital injection. Upon completion of the transaction, the 
equity interests of Finance Company directly held by the 
Company increased from 25.277% to 41.808%. For details, 
please refer to the Announcement on Capital Increase to 
China Southern Airlines Group Finance Company Limited 
by the Company and Connected Transaction of the 
Company published on China Securities Journal, Shanghai 
Securities News, Securities Times and the website of SSE 
on 2 March 2019.

2.  Major Non-equity Investment

On 30 August 2019, the Company entered into the ARJ21-
700 Aircraft Sale and Purchase Agreement with Commercial 
Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. to acquire 35 ARJ21-
700 aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, 
Ltd.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Financial assets carried at fair value

Stock code
000099

601328

N/A

N/A

00696

N/A

Total

Abbreviation
Citic Offshore Helicopter Co., Ltd.

Bank of Communications Co., Ltd.

China Air Service Ltd.

Aviation Data Communication Corporation

Travelsky Technology Limited

Haikou Meilan International Airport Co., Ltd.

Initial 
Investment 
cost
9

Equity 
ownership 
(%)
0.48

Carrying 
value at the 
end of the 
period
22

Profit and 
loss during 
the reporting 
period
6

Changes 
in owners’ 
equity during 
the reporting 
period
–

16

2

1

33

100

161

0.013

1.00

2.50

2.25

2.35

/

52

1

31

861

188

1,155

2

(1)

1

17

1

26

–

–

–

11

(35)

(24)

Unit: RMB million

Accounting item
Other non-current 
financial assets
Other non-current 
financial assets
Other non-current 
financial assets
Other non-current 
financial assets
Other investments in 
equity securities
Other investments in 
equity securities

–

Sources of  
the shares
Purchase

Purchase

Capital increase

Capital increase

Establishment

Capital increase

–

XV. Analysis on Major Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures and Associates

1.  Major operational data of major holding aviation subsidiaries of the Group:

Number of 
aircraft

Proportion 
(%)

206
15
13
20
28
30

23.9
1.7
1.5
2.3
3.2
3.5

Number of 
passengers 
carried 
(thousand)

39,865.7
3,330.2
2,495.5
3,965.3
4,392.6
6,056.2

Proportion 
(%)

Cargo and 
mail carried 
(tonne)

26.29
2.20
1.65
2.62
2.90
3.99

298,522.6
18,061.8
12,585.4
26,867.1
21,318.1
42,749.3

Name of subsidiaries

Xiamen Airlines
Shantou Airlines
Zhuhai Airlines
Guizhou Airlines
Chongqing Airlines
Henan Airlines

Proportion 
(%)

RTK
(million)

Proportion 
(%)

16.93
1.02
0.71
1.52
1.21
2.42

6,480.9
421.7
378.4
570.8
552.7
811.5

19.86
1.29
1.16
1.75
1.69
2.49

RPK
(million)

65,362.7
4,493.7
4,079.5
5,995.5
5,949.6
8,512.4

Proportion 
(%)

22.94
1.58
1.43
2.10
2.09
2.99

Note: 1.  The operational information of Xiamen Airlines includes operational information of its subsidiaries, Hebei Airlines and Jiangxi 

Airlines;

2.  Xiongan Airlines is under construction, no operational data is available.

2. 

Information of Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines was established in August 1984 with registered capital of RMB8.0 billion. The legal representative is Wang 
Zhi Xue. The Company holds 55% of the shares in Xiamen Airlines; Xiamen Jianfa Group Co., Ltd. and Fujian Investment 
Group Co., Ltd. also hold 34% and 11% in Xiamen Airlines, respectively.

In 2019, Xiamen Airlines earned operating revenue of RMB32,612 million, representing an increase of 7.90% as compared 
to the previous year; and net profit of RMB785 million, representing a decrease of 14.95% as compared to the previous 
year. As at 31 December 2019, Xiamen Airlines’ total assets amounted to RMB56,780 million and net assets amounted to 
RMB19,060 million.

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Management Discussion and Analysis

3. 

Information of other major joint ventures and associates

Name of investee companies Nature of business

Registered capital

1. Joint ventures

Guangzhou Aircraft 

Aircraft repair and 

USD65,000,000

Maintenance Engineering 
Co., Ltd.

maintenance services

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co., 

Aircraft repair and 

USD163,100,000

Ltd.
2. Associates

Finance Company
SACM

maintenance services

Financial services
Advertising agency 

services

RMB1,377,730,000
RMB200,000,000

Sichuan Airlines

Airlines transportation

RMB1,000,000,000

Proportion of shares held at the 
investee companies (%)

Direct

Indirect

50

50

41.81
40

39

0

0

6.78
0

0

XVI. Industry Competition Landscape 

and Development Trend

Though the airline industry achieved profits for 10 
consecutive years in 2019, the profit is increasingly 
concentrated in large trans-continental airlines and low-
cost carriers with strong competitive advantages. Many 
smaller airlines with less efficiency were stuck in operational 
difficulties, as they were unable to tackle the challenges 
including geopolitical turmoil, sluggish economic growth and 
fierce market competition. The year of 2019 has the largest 
number of airline bankruptcy around the world. According 
to statistics of the aviation consultancy International Bureau 
of Aviation (IBA), 17 airlines have closed down around 
the world in 2019, most of which were European airlines, 
including high-profile airlines. 

While some small and medium-sized airlines were in 
business difficulties or even went bankrupt, large-scale 
trans-continental airlines with competitive advantages and 
low-cost carriers with leading position contributed most of 
profits in the industry. The concentration of profits lead to 
Matthew Effect on the performance of global airlines.

At the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has spread around 
the world, causing a big impact on the economy, society, 
finance and other aspects. The global civil aviation industry 
are facing great challenges with the following obvious 
trends arising at the same time:

1.  China to be the world’s largest aviation 

market

IATA predicts that the Asia-Pacific region will become 
the biggest force to drive aviation demand. After China’s 
economy transforming into a consumption-oriented 
economy, it will drive a strong growth in passenger demand 
for a long term.

2.  New trend of aviation cooperation mode

Currently, the trend of “de-alliance” in the international 
aviation industry is emerging, and the cooperation between 
aviation airlines eventually go back to the demand for 
interests. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation may become 
the mainstream trend in the future.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Although the outbreak of COVID-19 brought difficulties to 
China’s civil aviation industry in the short term, there is still 
room for development in the long term. It is embodied in 
the following three aspects:

3. 

1.  Huge market potential 

China’s civil aviation market will keep growing. 
Chinese civil aviation industry witnesses an average 
annual growth rate of passenger turnover of 11% in 
the past 10 years. However, the per capita air travel 
is only 0.47 time, while the per capita air travel in 
the United States is basically stable at 2.3-2.7 times, 
which is equivalent to 5-6 times of that in China. In 
the future, China’s civil aviation transportation market 
will continue to maintain a middle and high-speed 
growth with great development space. IATA predicts 
that by 2036, China’s total air passenger throughput 
will reach 1.5 billion.

2.  China’s development strategy and macro-policy are 

conducive to the development of aviation industry
The development strategies implemented in China 
has greatly expanded the development space of the 
aviation industry. The implementation of the three 
major development strategies, including “The Belt and 
Road Initiative”, the coordinated development strategy 
of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, and the development 
strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, as 
well as the policy for construction of Xiong An new 
area and Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Greater 
Bay Area foreshadow the broad prospects for the 
development of the aviation industry. The CAAC 
issued the Outline of Action for Building a Civil Aviation 
Power in the New Era, which clearly defined the goal 
of building a civil aviation power in an all-rounded 
way by the middle of this century. At the same time, 
in recent years, CAAC’s policies for “control over 
total number of flights, and structure adjustment” 
and fare reform have been continuously implemented 
and effective, and the occupancy rate of the whole 
industry has continued to rise. The NDRC and the 
CAAC have gradually relaxed the fare regulation 
and allowed airlines to adjust their fares to a certain 
extent in accordance with market demand, which is 
conducive to airlines’ flexible adjustment of their freight 
rates and improvement of their operating quality. 

Industry infrastructure continues to speed up
With the continuous release of first-tier airports’ 
production capacity, airspace reform and high-quality 
supply in the industry, the next few years may be 
a critical stage for first-tier and second-tier airports 
to release its slots, and the slots supply structure 
of airlines is expected to be optimized persistently. 
Moreover, the construction of domestic regional 
airports has been accelerated. It is expected that the 
number of domestic regional flights and passengers 
will maintain a high growth rate in the future.

XVII.  Business Plan in 2020

Looking forward to 2020, the world economy is still under 
deep adjustment following the international financial crisis, 
and the recovery of global economy remains fragile. At the 
same time, the accelerated global spread of the COVID-19 
outbreak has disrupted economic activities in many 
countries, significantly affected global financial markets and 
threatened their economic prospects. The International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the global economic to fall 
into recession in 2020 as a result of the outbreak, but 
recover in 2021.

China is in the crucial period of transforming development 
mode, optimizing economic structure and transforming 
growth momentum. Structural, institutional and periodic 
issues are intertwined. The “three period superimposed” 
effect continues to deepen and downward pressure on 
the economy increases. At the same time, the COVID-19 
outbreak has also had some impact on China’s economy. 
Currently, China’s prevention and control measures have 
achieved positive results, and the most difficult and arduous 
stage has passed. The resumption of work and production 
of enterprises has been advanced in an orderly manner, 
and the economy returned to normal at a faster pace. 
The impact of the outbreak is short-term and generally 
controllable. The basic trend for China’s economy to seek 
progress while maintaining stability with long-term good 
prospects has not changed.

Faced with risks and challenges, the Group will persist in 
taking reform and innovation as the driving force, promote 
high-quality development, ensure a stable security situation, 
make every effort to improve quality and efficiency, and 
strive to build a world-class air transport enterprise with 
global competitiveness.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

1.  To lower outbreak risks and ensure safe 

3.  To make every effort to improve quality and 

and stable operation.

We insist on putting the safety and health of 
passengers and employees first, and fully support the 
prevention and control of the outbreak by ensuring 
the safety and normality of flights. We have earnestly 
fulfilled our social responsibilities and actively engaged 
in the transportation of materials for anti-outbreak 
personnel and the work of ensuring the resumption of 
production and work. We actively respond to changes 
in market demand, adjust business strategy in a timely 
manner, and optimize the allocation of capacity. On 
the premise of effective prevention and control of the 
outbreak, the Group will strengthen the allocation of 
transport capacity, dig deep into market demand, 
closely track and analyze the market trends, and 
prepare for the recovery of the aviation market after 
the Outbreak.

2.  To put safety first and continue to improve 

safety quality.

We will speed up the construction of the security 
system and the upgrade of the information platform, 
and complete the seven major security systems of 
safety responsibility, rules and regulations manual, 
training and practice, process control, risk control, 
safety culture and scientific and technological 
innovation. We will consolidate infrastructure and 
improve the level of fundamental safety control. We 
will further promote the discipline of style of work, 
strengthen supervision and assessment and sort out 
hidden dangers, strengthen the application of big 
data, promote hierarchical control, and embed risk 
prevention into the whole process of flight operation. 
In 2020, the Group will ensure its continuation in 
aviation safety as in past years.

efficiency and enhance the profitability of 
the Company.

We will deepen the marketing reform, optimize the 
allocation of resources, and continuously deepen 
the matching of transportation capacity with the 
market, transportation capacity with freight rate and 
revenue management. We will maximize the marginal 
contribution as the goal, improve the matching degree 
of fleet planning and network planning, promote 
the accurate matching of aircraft types and routes, 
enhance revenue control efforts, and improve the 
revenue control capability and level. We will strengthen 
the customer base in an all-rounded way, value the 
Group’s customer development and regular customer 
development, and deepen the integration of marketing 
and service. We will enhance the management of 
new routes, optimize the input of transport capacity, 
and continuously improve the management level of 
international routes; strengthen sales cooperation 
with banks, business travel agencies, etc. and 
interconnectability of members, improve the drainage 
capability of our main businesses, and promote the 
initial formation of the China Southern Airlines business 
travel ecosystem.

We will make full use of belly-hold, establish a 
passenger and cargo network linkage mechanism, 
optimize flight scheduling, and strengthen network 
integrated marketing. We will develop online freight 
service, expand high-end and cross-border express 
delivery services, expand the volume of emerging 
services, transforming into modern logistics service 
providers.

52

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results4.  To deepen the construction of integrated 
operation and continue to improve the 
operation quality.

We will improve the centralised operation and control 
capability, unify the “GOC” operation standards, 
strengthen information and intelligent support, and 
give full play to the scale and network advantages of 
large-scale fleet and multiple bases. We will continue 
to carry out projects to increase flight punctuality 
rates, implement fine operation, precise control and 
lean flight, and ensure the flight punctuality rates in 
the leading position in the industry. We will also tap 
into the potential for creating operational value, make 
solid efforts to tap into the potential of performance 
and industry load, manage aviation fuel, optimize air 
routes, and make flight decisions and carry out other 
measures. We will establish an accounting model for 
creating operational support system value to ensure 
that available fuel consumption per ton kilometer 
continues to decline.

5.  To build a first-class brand service system 

based on “affinity and refinement”.

We will start the “integrated service” program. 
Following the advanced international standards, and 
highlighting the characteristics of CSA, the Group will 
focus on air, ground, online and offline products and 
services, and comprehensively improve service quality. 
We will resolve disadvantages, and deeply improve 
services such as hub, flight delay, meals, luggage, 
ticketing, on-board hardware maintenance and 
environmental cleaning. We will create outstanding 
advantages, focus on the needs of passengers, 
optimize and upgrade the whole process of service 
to enhance our reputation. We will gradually realize 
data collection and analysis for the whole process of 
service and build a refined service control mode by 
means of informationisation.

6.  To build the layout of dual hubs and 

accelerate the strategic implementation.

We will ensure the high-quality development of 
the Beijing hub and focus on the orderly transit of 
flights and our operation in the two airports. We will 
improve the control mechanism, strictly implement 
the responsibility assignment, and give full play to 
the advantages of Beijing hub facing the north of 
the Yangtze River, Japan, South Korea, Europe 
and America. We will strengthen coordination and 
cooperation, and strive for all-out policies such as 
flight schedule resources and replacement of traffic 
rights; revitalize idle resources at the initial stage of 
operation and actively explore the third-party market.

We will continue to increase investment in the 
Guangzhou hub, enhance the market share of 
domestic trunk routes, and consolidate the hub’s 
leading position; seize the strategic opportunity, 
focus on the planning of Guangdong-Hong Kong-
Macau Greater Bay Area, and promote the integration 
of markets, products, services and networks in 
the region. The Company shall give full play to the 
advantages of Guangzhou hub facing the south of 
Yangtze River and Oceania, Southeast Asia and South 
Asia, continue to forge the “Canton Route” and further 
improve the capacity concentration and operation 
capacity of Guangzhou hub.

7.  To enhance financial management and 
continue to enhance the level of cost 
control.

We will do our best to promote the integration of 
industry and financial resources, strictly control 
the costs of aviation fuel, take-off and landing, 
maintenance and sales, and continue to create cost 
advantages. We will strengthen strategic cost control, 
strictly formulate investment plans, improve the 
project reserve management system, and create more 
value by using existing resources. We will strengthen 
capital management, properly arrange financing 
strategies, and make full use of internal and external 
capital markets. We will enhance risk control, build a 
balanced and stable debt management system, and 
strengthen risk control over exchange rate, interest 
rate and oil price.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportManagement Discussion and Analysis

8.  To accelerate the reform and development, 

2. 

Industry Risks

and enhance the Company’s development 
potential.

We will firmly set up the concept of the rule of law and 
accelerate the modernization of corporate governance 
system and governance capability. We will optimize 
the fleet structure and dispose of old and high-energy-
consuming aircraft or surrender of tenancy. We will 
deepen the institutional reform and the construction of 
incentive mechanism, and implement full-scale market-
oriented accounting. We will continue to promote the 
Company’s intelligent construction, open up every link 
from marketing, operation to service, and establish an 
intelligent system. We will also continue to strengthen 
bilateral and multilateral international cooperation, 
deepen cooperation with major international airlines, 
and further establish a partnership circle around the 
world.

XVIII. RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS

1.  Macro Environment Risks

(1)  Risks of Fluctuation in Macro Economy

The degree of prosperity of the civil aviation industry 
is closely linked to the status of the development 
of the domestic and international macro economy. 
Macro economy has a direct impact on the economic 
activities, the disposable income of the residents and 
the import and export trade volume, which in turn 
affects the demand of the air passenger and air cargo 
and further affects the business and operating results 
of the Group.

(2)  Risks of Macro Policies

Macro economic policies made by the government, in 
particular the adjustment in the cyclical macro policies, 
including credit, interest rate, exchange rate and fiscal 
expenditure, have a direct or indirect impact on the 
air transport industry. In addition, the establishment 
of the new airlines, the opening of aviation rights, 
routes, fuel surcharges, air ticket fares and other 
aspects are regulated by the government, and the fuel 
surcharges pricing mechanism is also regulated by 
the government. The changes in the relevant policies 
will have a potential impact on the operating results 
and the future development of the business of the 
Company.

(1)  Risks of Intensifying Competition in the Industry

Faced with ever-changing markets, if the Company 
fails to effectively enhance its ability to predict and 
adopt flexible sales strategies and pricing mechanisms, 
this may have an impact on the Company’s goal 
of achieving expected returns. With regard to the 
introduction of transport capacity, rapid growth of 
industry capacity and the slowdown in market demand 
has become increasingly significant. If the Company 
fails to establish a corresponding capacity introduction 
and exit mechanism, it may have a material adverse 
effect on the Company’s operating efficiency. In terms 
of exploring the international market, if the Company 
fails to further improve the operational quality of 
international routes, it may affect the Company’s 
operating income and profit levels.

(2)  Risks of Competition from Other Modes of Transportation
There is certain substitutability in short to medium 
range routes transportation among air transport, 
railway transport and road transportation. With the 
improving high speed rail network, if the Company 
fails to develop an effective marketing strategy to deal 
with high speed rail competition, it may affect the 
Company’s operating efficiency.

(3)  Other Force Majeure and Unforeseen Risks

The aviation industry is subject to a significant impact 
from the external environment and natural disasters, 
including earthquake, typhoon and tsunami, abrupt 
public health incidents as well as terrorist attacks, 
international political turmoil and other factors will 
affect the normal operation of the airlines, thus 
bringing adverse effect to the results and long-term 
development of the Company.

3.  Risks of the Company Management

(1)  Safety Risks

Flight safety is the prerequisite and foundation for the 
normal operation of the airlines. Adverse weather, 
mechanical failure, human error, aircraft defects as 
well as other force majeure incidents may have effect 
on the flight safety. With large-scale aircraft fleet 
and more cross-location, overnight and international 
operations, the Company was confronted with certain 
challenges in its safety operation. In case of any flight 
accident, it will have an adverse effect on the normal 
production and operation of the Company and its 
reputation.

54

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Operating Results(2) 

Information Safety Risks
The information safety situation is becoming more 
and more severe. If the Company fails to manage the 
information safety affairs at company level or a higher 
level, increase input of information safety resources, 
or strengthen the information safety management, the 
Company’s safety, production, operation, marketing, 
service, etc. may be affected. Thus, the Company 
may be affected and suffer losses.

(3)  Risks of High Capital Expenditure

The major capital expenditure of the Company is to 
purchase aircraft. In recent years, the Company has 
been optimizing the fleet structure and reducing the 
operational cost through introducing more advanced 
models, retiring obsolete models and streamlining 
the number of models. Due to the high fixed costs 
for the operation of aircraft, if the operation condition 
of the Company suffered from a severe downturn, it 
may lead to the significant drop in the operating profit, 
financial distress and other problems.

4.  Financial Risks of the Company

(1)  Risk of Fluctuation in Interest Rate

Since the civil aviation industry is featured with “high 
investments”, the gearing ratio of the airlines is 
generally high. Therefore, the interest rate fluctuation 
resulting from the change of capital in the market has 
a relatively greater influence on the Group’s financial 
expenses, so as to further affect the Group’s operating 
results. At 31 December 2019, assuming all other risk 
variables other than interest rate remained constant, in 
the case of 100 base points increase (or decrease) of 
the Group’s comprehensive capital cost would lead to 
the decrease (or increase) in the shareholders’ equity 
and net profit of the Group amounting to RMB559 
million.

(2)  Risk of Fluctuation in Exchange Rate Currency
Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign 
currencies. All foreign exchange transactions involving 
Renminbi must take place either through the People’s 
Bank of China (“PBOC”) or other institutions authorised 
to buy and sell foreign exchange or at a swap centre. 
Substantially all of the Group’s obligations under 
leases liabilities and certain bank and other loans 
are denominated in foreign currencies, principally 
US dollars, Euro and Japanese Yen. Depreciation or 
appreciation of Renminbi against foreign currencies 
therefore affects the Group’s results significantly.

As of 31 December 2019, the Group has recorded 
a total of RMB2,198 million of financial assets in 
foreign currencies, and a total of RMB76,175 million 
of financial liabilities in foreign currencies, of which, 
liabilities in US dollars reached RMB70,939 million. 
Fluctuations in US dollar against RMB exchange rate 
will have a material impact on the Group’s finance 
expense. Assuming risks other than exchange rate 
remain unchanged, the shareholders’ equity and 
net profit of the Group will increase (or decrease) by 
RMB434 million in the case of each and every 1% 
appreciation (or depreciation) of the exchange rate of 
RMB to US dollar at 31 December 2019.

(3)  Risk of Fluctuation in Jet Fuel Price

The jet fuel cost is the most major expenditure for 
the Company. Both the fluctuation in the international 
crude oil prices and the adjustment of domestic fuel 
prices by the NDRC has big impact on the profit of 
the Group. Although the Group has adopted various 
fuel saving measures to control the unit fuel cost and 
reduce the fuel consumption volume, however, if 
there is any significant fluctuation in the international 
oil prices, the operating results of the Group may be 
significantly affected.

In addition, the Group is required to procure a majority 
of its jet fuel domestically at PRC spot market prices. 
There is currently no effective means available to 
manage the Group’s exposure to the fluctuations of 
domestic jet fuel prices. However, according to a 
“Notice on Questions about Establishing Linked Pricing 
Mechanism for Fuel Surcharges of Domestic Routes 
and Jet Fuel” jointly published by the NDRC and 
the CAAC in 2009, airlines may, within a prescribed 
scope, make its own decision as to fuel surcharges 
for domestic routes and the pricing structure. The 
linked pricing mechanism, to a certain extent, reduces 
the Group’s exposure to fluctuation in jet fuel price.

In 2019, the Group’s fuel oil cost accounted for 
28.81% of the operating expenses and it was the 
Company’s main operating expenses. Assuming that 
the fuel oil consumption remains unchanged, in the 
case of 10% increases (or decreases) in fuel price, the 
Group’s operating cost would increase (or decrease) 
by RMB4,281 million.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportNEW

INTERNATIONALIZATION

Opening and Sharing, Speeding Up 
the Construction of New International

Cooperation Relations and 

International Business Model

REPORT OF  
DIRECTORS

The Board of the Company hereby presents this annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 
December 2019 of the Group to the shareholders of the Company.

Principal Activities, Operating Results and Financial Position

The Group is principally engaged in airlines operations. The Group also operates certain airlines related businesses, 
including provision of aircraft maintenance and air catering services. The Group is one of the largest airlines in China. In 
2019, the Group ranked first among all Chinese airlines in terms of number of passengers carried, number of scheduled 
flights per week, number of hours flown, number of routes and size of aircraft fleet. The Group has prepared the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 in accordance with IFRSs. Please refer to pages 133 to 240 of this 
annual report for details.

Dividends

The profit distribution plan of the Company for the year 2019 was approved at the twelfth meeting of the eighth session 
of the Board of the Company. The Company distributed cash dividends of totally RMB1.622 billion in 2017 and 2018, 
accounting for more than 40% of the annual average distributable profits attributable to shareholders of the Company 
realized in 2017 to 2019, which is higher than the requirement stipulated under the relevant regulations for listed 
companies and the articles of association of the Company, that is “the cumulative profit distributed in cash in the last three 
years shall not be less than 30% of the annual average distributable profits realized by the Company in those three years”.

The Company’s non-public issuance of A shares and H shares, which was approved at the extraordinary general meeting 
and class meetings convened by the Company on 27 December 2019, is under review by the CSRC. According to 
the relevant regulations of the CSRC, securities cannot be issued before the completion of the implementation of profit 
distribution. As the distribution of cash dividends of the Company in the past three years complied with the regulations, in 
view of the strategic significance of the non-public issuance to the Company and in order to ensure the smooth progress 
of the project, after comprehensive consideration of the Company’s long term development and the interests of all 
shareholders of the Company, the Board did not recommend any payment of final cash dividend and conversion of capital 
reserve to share capital of the Company for the year 2019. The retained undistributed profits will be used to supplement 
the Company’s working capital to meet the development needs of the Company’s principal business activity.

The above matters are subject to the approval of 2019 annual general meeting of the Company.

Five-Year Financial Summary

A summary of the results and the assets and liabilities of the Group prepared under IFRSs for the five-year period ended 
31 December 2019 are set out on page 244 of this annual report.

Bank Loans and Other Borrowings

Details of the bank loans and other borrowings of the Group are set out in note 36 to the financial statements prepared 
under IFRSs.

58

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceInterest Capitalisation

For the year ended 31 December 2019, RMB1,279 million (2018: RMB1,085 million) was capitalised as the cost of 
construction in progress and property, plant and equipment in the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment of the Group and movements of property, plant and equipment during the year ended 31 
December 2019 are set out in note 19 to the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Major Customers and Suppliers

The Group’s aggregate revenue from the top five customers did not exceed 30% of the Group’s total revenue in 2019. 
The sales from the top five customers was RMB1,270 million in total, representing 0.82% of the total sales in 2019, of 
which sales to related parties was RMB0.

The Group’s purchases from the largest supplier was RMB10,690 million, representing 13.16% of the Group’s total 
purchases in 2019. The purchases from the top five suppliers was RMB27,621 million in total, representing 34.02% of the 
total purchases in 2019, of which purchases from related parties was RMB5,381 million, representing 6.63% of the total 
purchases in 2019. At no time during the year have the directors, their associates or any shareholder of the Company (which 
to the knowledge of the Directors owns more than 5% of the Company’s share capital) had any interest in these top five 
suppliers.

Relationships with Customers and Suppliers

The Group understands that it is important to maintain good relationship with its suppliers and customers to fulfill its long-
term goals and maintain the leading position in the market.

The Group fulfilled sincere service concept and systematically improved the whole process service experience of 
passengers. We have innovated the service mode and improved the service experience of delayed passengers regarding 
sales, service and information acquisition. We have implemented the requirement of “affinity and refinement", introduced 
two-cabin “family service 360” products, expanded 195 fine “Kapok International” routes, and achieved full coverage of 
international long-haul routes and regional key routes. We promoted the baggage tracking program in an all-round way 
and became the first airline in Asia obtaining IATA baggage tracking compliance certification. We implemented the upgrade 
of “China Southern e-Travel”, and the paperless self-service in the whole process has brought more convenient travel 
experience to passengers.

The Group continued to explore how to improve its supplier management mechanisms. Since 2018, the Group released 
Measures for Supplier Management, and newly launched Notice for Bad Behavior System of Suppliers, Commitment for 
Integrity of Supplier and other purchasing documents, and encouraged suppliers to actively assume social responsibility 
by standardizing the cooperation with its suppliers in terms of its practice in operation, society and environment, and 
encouraged suppliers to actively assume social responsibility. Meanwhile, we conducted the communication activities with 
suppliers regularly, took the advice and suggestion of suppliers to better improve all of its work.

During the reporting period, there was no material and significant dispute between the Group and its suppliers and/or 
customers.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group has following major customers and suppliers:

Name of customers

Customer 1
Customer 2
Customer 3
Customer 4
Customer 5

Total

Name of suppliers

China National Aviation Fuel Group
South China Blue Sky Aviation Fuel Co., Ltd
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co., Ltd.
MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Cheng Yuan Aviation Oil Co., Ltd. (深圳承遠航空油料有限公司)

Total

Unit: RMB million

Percentage as 
total operating 
revenue (%)

Operating 
revenue

472
214
201
200
183

1,270

Purchase

10,690 
9,890 
2,939 
2,442 
1,660 

27,621

0.31
0.14
0.13
0.13
0.12

0.82

Unit: RMB million

Percentage as 
total purchase
 (%)

13.16
12.18
3.62
3.01
2.05

34.02

Based on nature of the Group’s business, the Group has not relied on major supplier or customers. For details about the 
customer services of the Group, please refer to the analysis on market and service under “Management Discussion and 
Analysis” in this annual report.

Taxation

Details of taxation of the Group are set out in notes 16 and 29 to the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Enterprise Income Tax of Overseas Non-Resident Enterprises

In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company is obliged to withhold and pay 
PRC enterprise income tax on behalf of non-resident enterprise shareholders at a tax rate of 10% when the Company 
distributes any dividends to non-resident enterprise shareholders. As such, any H Shares of the Company which are 
not registered in the name(s) of individual(s) (which, for this purpose, includes shares registered in the name of HKSCC 
Nominees Limited, other nominees, trustees, or other organisations or groups) shall be deemed to be H Shares held by 
non-resident enterprise shareholder(s), and the PRC enterprise income tax shall be withheld from any dividends payable 
thereon. Non-resident enterprise shareholders may wish to apply for a tax refund (if any) in accordance with the relevant 
requirements, such as tax agreements (arrangements), upon receipt of any dividends.

60

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individual Income Tax of Overseas Individual Shareholders

In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations in the PRC, when non-foreign investment companies of the 
mainland which are listed in Hong Kong distribute dividends to their shareholders, the individual shareholders in general will 
be subject to a withholding tax rate of 10% without making any application for the entitlement for the above-mentioned tax 
rate. However, the Company is a foreign investment company and, as confirmed by the relevant tax authorities, according 
to the Circular on Certain Issues Concerning the Policies of Individual Income Tax (Cai Shui Zi [1994] No. 020) (《關於個人
所得稅若干政策問題的通知》 (財稅字[1994]020號)) promulgated by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of 
Taxation on 13 May 1994, overseas individuals are, as an interim measure, exempted from the PRC individual income tax 
for dividends or bonuses received from foreign investment enterprises.

Reserves

Movements in the reserves of the Group during the year are set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity in 
the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Subsidiaries

Details of the subsidiaries of the Company are set out in note 23 to the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Purchase, Sale and Redemption of Shares

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries purchased, sold or redeemed any shares during the year ended 31 
December 2019.

Pre-Emptive Rights

None of the Articles of Association of the Company provides for any pre-emptive rights requiring the Company to offer 
new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

Permitted Indemnity Provision

The Company did not have any arrangement with a term providing for indemnity against liability incurred by the Directors 
and the Supervisors during their tenure.

The Company has arranged for appropriate insurance cover for Directors’ and officers’ liabilities in respect of legal actions 
against its Directors and senior management arising out of corporate activities.

Audit and Risk Management Committee

The Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Company has reviewed and confirmed the audited financial statements 
of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The Model Code

Having made specific enquiries with all the Directors, the Directors have complied with the Model Code as set out in 
Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules for the year ended 31 December 2019.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

The Company has adopted a code of conduct which is no less stringent than the Model Code regarding securities 
transactions of the Directors.

Compliance with the Code Provisions of the Corporate Governance Code

In the opinion of the Board of the Company, the Group has complied with the code provisions of the Corporate 
Governance Code as set out in Appendix 14 to the Listing Rules for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Laws and regulations that have a significant impact on the operations of the Group include: Civil Aviation Law of the 
People’s Republic of China, Opinions of the State Council on Promoting the Development of the Civil Aviation Industry, 
Regulation on the Civil Airport Administration, Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Civil Aviation Security, 
Provisions on the Administration of Flight Procedures and Minimum Operation Standards for Civil Airports, Provisions of 
the CAAC on the Administration of the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, Provisions of China’s Civil Aviation Business 
Permits for Domestic Routes and Provisions on the Business License for Public Air Transport Enterprises.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Company strictly followed the laws and regulations mentioned above to 
ensure safe operation of the Company, and to secure its slots execution rate and flight punctuality rate to reach the 
standard. The Company applied new routes and slots according to regulations and returned back in a timely manner any 
unused traffic rights. No punishment was imposed on the Group by any regulator institutions which caused material impact 
on the operation of the Group.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group has complied with laws and regulations that has material effect on the 
operation of the Group.

Environmental Policies and Performance

During the reporting period, the Company actively responded to climate changes, continued to promote energy 
conservation and emission reduction, and made more efforts to reduce the impact on the environment:

1.  Green Flight

The Company has formulated Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Management Manual, Energy and 
Environmental Protection Management Business Process and other systems. By virtue of technical optimization, 
management improvement and big data analysis, the Company comprehensively improved the efficiency of aviation fuel 
usage and realized green flight. By introducing A350, B787, A320NEO and other new aircraft models, the fuel efficiency 
of the fleet was further improved. In 2019, the Company comprehensively promoted the single-engine slide-in project, 
shutting down one engine to reduce fuel consumption while the plane was taxiing. In 2019, a total of 160,882 single-
engine slide-in flights were conducted for 11,039 hours, saving 3,042 tons of fuel.

2.  Participation in Carbon Trading

The Company, as the forerunner of the domestic carbon trading pilot, successfully fulfilled its obligations to participate in 
the EU carbon emission trading of two-point flights within the EU for the year 2018 and the Guangdong carbon market 
in April 2019 and June 2019 respectively. During the performance work of carbon trading in Guangdong Province, China 
Southern Airlines held a surplus quota of over 400,000 tons for the year 2018 due to the improvement of the Company’s 
emission efficiency.

62

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance3.  Pollution Prevention and Control

The waste water, exhaust gas, harmful waste and other items generated in the process of air transportation may lead 
to some pollution. The Company disposed of on-board wastewater, industrial wastewater and domestic wastewater in 
accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and Law of the 
People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution and other laws and regulations, and 
conducted reduction and innocuous treatment of waste generated during our business operation, to reduce the impact on 
the environment.

4.  Resource Conservation

It is inevitable to consume water, paper, plastic, wood and other resources during our aviation flights and ground services. 
In order to promote the resource conservation, China Southern Airlines pay more attention to resource conservation and 
efficiency improvement in all aspects of operation.

Water conservation. We implemented precise water addition in cabin and applied aircraft dry cleaning technology to 
reduce water consumption on board and aircraft cleaning water consumption.

Paper saving. With respect of passenger services, by virtue of “China Southern e-travel” and other electronic platforms, we 
promoted electronic boarding passes, electronic invoice and electronic luggage tag to reduce paper printing. As for freight 
services, the Company persistently promoted electronic waybills, saving 171,000 paper waybills per month on average. 
The volume of domestic electronic waybills was the largest in the world.

Disposal of harmless waste. China Southern Airlines responded proactively to the garbage sorting. After the cabin meal 
packaging materials, recyclable magazines, kitchen waste, office and domestic waste and other harmless waste generated 
during the activities were collected, China Southern Airlines handed them over to qualified companies, to promote the 
recycling of resources. The disposal of harmless waste for on-board services of China Southern Airlines amounted to 7,909.5 
cubic meters in 2019, with a treatment rate of 100%.

China Southern Airlines responded proactively to the garbage sorting, and conducted dry and wet garbage classification 
before landing on the plane. After the dry garbage such as easy to open cans and plastic bottles was recycled, and the 
wet garbage such as lunch boxes and leftover meals was collected, China Southern Airlines handed them over to ground 
staff. China Southern Airlines' on-board garbage sorting behavior well received by passengers.

5.  Spreading the Green Concept

Energy conservation and emission reduction need the joint efforts of the whole society. With such a large customer base, 
China Southern Airlines has given full play to its advantageous resources to attract more stakeholders involving in energy 
conservation and emission reduction activities and jointly participating in the sustainable development process of mankind.

To address the waste of meals on board, China Southern Airlines launched a green flight project in 2019, calling on 
passengers who have no need for meals to give up meals on board in advance, realizing green flight. China Southern 
Airlines awarded 300-500 miles to passengers participating in the project to achieve mutual benefit and a win-win situation. 
In 2019, China Southern Airlines launched the green flight project on 650 flights, sending targeted invitation messages 
to over 30,000 passengers every day. A total of 215,000 passengers participated in green flight, reducing the waste of 
215,000 meals on board.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

Directors and Supervisors’ Interests in Transaction, Arrangement or Contract of 
Significance

Save as disclosed in the section headed “Connected Transactions” below, neither Director/Supervisors nor entities 
connected with the Directors/Supervisors had a material interest, either directly or indirectly, in any transaction, 
arrangement or contract of significance to the business of the Group subsisting at any time during the year ended 31 
December 2019 or at the end of the year to which the Company, its holding company, or any of its subsidiaries was a 
party.

Directors and Supervisors’ Rights to Acquire Shares or Debentures

At no time during the year ended 31 December 2019 was the Company or any of its subsidiaries a party to any 
arrangement that would enable the Directors/Supervisors to acquire benefits by means of acquisition of shares in, or 
debentures of, the Company or any other body corporate, and none of the Directors/Supervisors or any of their spouses 
or children under the age of 18 were granted any right to subscribe for the equity or debt securities of the Company or 
any other body corporate or had exercised any such right.

Directors and Supervisors’ Interest in Competing Business

As at 31 December 2019, none of the Directors/Supervisors or any of their respective associates had engaged in or had 
any interest in any business which competes or is likely to compete, either directly or indirectly, with the business of the 
Group.

Sufficiency of Public Float

According to the information publicly available to the Company, and within the knowledge of the Directors as at the latest 
practicable date prior to the issue of this annual report, the Company had maintained sufficient public float as required by 
the Listing Rules throughout the year ended 31 December 2019.

Connected Transactions

The Company entered into certain connected transactions with CSAH and other connected persons from time to time. 
Details of the connected transactions of the Company conducted in 2019 which are required to be disclosed herein under 
the Listing Rules, are as follows:

(1)  De-merger Agreement

The De-merger Agreement dated 25 March 1995 (such agreement was amended by the Amendment Agreement No.1 
dated 22 May 1997) was entered into between CSAH and the Company for the purpose of defining and allocating the 
assets and liabilities between CSAH and the Company. Under the De-merger Agreement, CSAH and the Company have 
agreed to indemnify the other party against claims, liabilities and expenses incurred by such other party relating to the 
businesses, assets and liabilities held or assumed by CSAH or the Company pursuant to the De-merger Agreement.

Neither the Company nor CSAH has made any payments in respect of such indemnification obligations from the date of 
the De-merger Agreement up to the date of this annual report.

64

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance(2)  Continuing Connected Transactions between the Company and CSAH (or their respective 

subsidiaries)

A.  SACM, which is 40% owned by the Company and 60% owned by CSAH

(a)  The Company entered into a new Media Services Framework Agreement on 27 December 2018 with SACM (“New 
Media Services Framework Agreement”) to renew the media services provided by SACM to the Group under the 
Media Services Framework Agreement (“Media Services Framework Agreement”) entered into by the Company 
and SACM with a term of three years on 30 December 2015, for an additional term of three years, commencing 
from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021.

Pursuant to the agreement, the Company has appointed SACM to provide exclusive advertising agency 
services, the plotting, purchase and production of in-flight TV and movie program agency services, channel 
publicity and production services, public relations services relating to recruitment of air-hostess, and services 
relating to the distribution of newspapers and magazines. The service fee for the media services to be provided 
to members of the Group by SACM and its subsidiaries are determined, among others, the prevailing market 
price. Pricing are based on prevailing market price and agreed upon between the parties for each transaction on 
arm’s length negotiations in accordance with the following pricing mechanism: (a) if there are prevailing market 
prices for same or similar types of services in the same or similar locations of the services being provided, the 
pricing of the services shall (be no less favourable than the terms obtained from independent third parties and 
such prevailing market price evaluated); or (b) if there are no such prevailing market price in the same or similar 
locations, the service to be provided by SACM Group shall be on terms which are no less favourable than the 
terms which can be obtained by the Group from independent third parties within the PRC market. The Company 
will satisfy the service fee by its internal resources.

In particular, the transaction amounts for in-flight TV and movie program agency services are expected to 
increase annually by 15% since the Company has fully entrusted SACM to purchase all in-flight TV and movie 
programs and are committed to the improvement of quality. An annual growth of 10% reflecting the increases in 
number of flights and number of passengers are also factored in when ascertaining the transaction amounts for 
the newly-added media printing, production and procurement services.

(b) 

In view of the increase in demand for services to be provided by SACM to the Group under the Media Services 
Framework Agreement, the annual cap under the Media Services Framework Agreement in respect of the year 
ended 31 December 2019 will become insufficient. The Company and SACM entered into a supplemental 
agreement to revise the relevant annual cap on 29 November 2019. The supplemental agreement came into 
force on 29 November 2019.

Pursuant to the supplemental agreement, the Company and SACM agreed to revise the annual cap for the 
Media Services Framework Agreement for the year ended 31 December 2019 from RMB150 million (excluding 
tax) to RMB200.9 million (excluding tax). Save for the said revision, all other terms of the Media Services 
Framework Agreement shall remain unchanged. For details, please refer to the announcement of the Company 
dated 29 November 2019.

The annual caps for each of the financial years ended 31 December 2019, 2020 and 2021 are RMB200.9 
million, RMB170 million and RMB190 million (excluding tax), respectively. For the year ended 31 December 
2019, the translation amount of the Group for media services was RMB196 million. 

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
Report of Directors

B.  Finance Company, which is 51.416% owned by CSAH, 41.808% owned by the Company and 6.776% 

owned in aggregate by four subsidiaries of the Company

(a)  On 29 August 2016, the Company entered into a New Financial Services Framework Agreement (the “New 
Financial Services Framework Agreement”) with Finance Company, in order to renew the financial services 
provided by Finance Company to the Group under Financial Services Framework Agreement (the “Financial 
Services Framework Agreement”) entered into by the Company and Finance Company on 8 November 2013 for 
a term of three years and contain the insurance business platform services provided by the Group to Finance 
Company under the Cooperation Framework Agreement entered into by the Company and Finance Company 
on 19 November 2015. The term of the Agreement is three years, starting from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 
2019.

Under such agreement, financial services provided by the Finance Company to the Group including deposit 
services (“Deposit Services”), loan services (“Loan Services”) and other financial services (“other financial 
services”). Both parties agreed that: (1) the Finance Company shall accept deposit of money from the Group 
at interest rates not lower than interest rate set by the PBOC for the same term of deposit. The Finance 
Company will in turn deposit the whole of such sums of money deposited by the Group with it with state-owned 
commercial banks and listed commercial banks; (2) The Finance Company shall make loans or provide credit 
line services to the Group and the entering into of separate loan agreements upon application by the Company 
during the term of the New Financial Services Framework Agreement, and the Finance Company shall not 
charge interest rates higher than the interest rate set by the PBOC for the same term of loans. The total amount 
of outstanding loans extended by the Finance Company to the CSAH Group (excluding the Group) must not 
exceed the sum of the Finance Company’s shareholders’ equity, capital reserves and money deposit received 
from other parties (except the Group); (3) Upon request by the Company, the Finance Company shall also 
provide other financial services to the Group, including financial and financing consultation, credit certification and 
other relevant advice and agency services, insurance agency services, and other businesses which are approved 
by China Banking Regulatory Commission to be operated by the Finance Company by entering into of separate 
agreements. In relation to the insurance business platform services arrangements under the New Financial 
Services Framework Agreement, as the platform service provider, the Company agreed to cooperate with the 
Finance Company, and authorize Finance Company to use each platform of the Group (including electronic 
platforms and ground service counter channels) as the sales platforms for sale of various insurances relating to 
aviation transportation (including baggage insurance and aviation passenger accident insurance). For the sale of 
insurance policies through the Group’s ground service counter channels and its electronic platforms, the Group 
is currently charging a fixed ratio of the insurance premium of each of the different kinds of insurance policies. 
The pricing model has been agreed on an arm’s length basis by the Company and the Finance Company with 
reference to the determination basis as set out in the table disclosed in the Company’s announcement dated 29 
August 2016.

The rates should be determined on an arm’s length basis and based on fair market rate, and should not be 
higher than those available from independent third parties or charging standards. Each of the maximum daily 
balance of deposits (including the corresponding interests accrued thereon) placed by the Company as well as 
the maximum amount of the outstanding loan provided by the Finance Company to the Company (including the 
corresponding interests accrued thereon) at any time during the term of the New Financial Services Framework 
Agreement shall not exceed the cap which is set at RMB8 billion on any given day. The annual cap of fees 
payable to the Finance Company by the Group for the other financial services should not exceed RMB5 million. 
In addition, the annual caps of fees to be received by the Group for the insurance business platform services 
under New Financial Services Framework Agreement were RMB68.60 million, RMB79.35 million and RMB91.67 
million respectively for each financial year ended 31 December 2017, 2018 and 2019. On 16 December 2016, 
the extraordinary general meeting of the Company considered and approved the New Financial Services 
Framework Agreement.

66

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
In light of the increase in the amount of deposits actually required to be placed by the Group with the 
Finance Company exceeds the original projection, the original cap will no longer be sufficient to cover the 
maximum daily balance of the deposits to be placed by the Group with the Finance Company during the 
remaining term of the New Financial Services Framework Agreement. Accordingly, the Company and the 
Finance Company entered into a supplemental agreement to the Financial Services Framework Agreement 
(“Supplemental Agreement”) on 27 April 2018 to revise the cap for the period from the effective date of the 
Supplemental Agreement to 31 December 2019 from RMB8 billion to RMB10 billion. On 15 June 2018, the 
Supplemental Agreement was considered and approved at annual general meeting. For details, please see 
the Company’s circular dated 18 May 2018 and announcement dated 15 June 2018.

(b)  As the Financial Services Framework Agreement expired on 31 December 2019 and the transactions 

contemplated under the Financial Services Framework Agreement continue to be entered into on a 
recurring basis, the Company entered into a new Financial Services Framework Agreement on 27 August 
2019 with Finance Company (“New Financial Services Framework Agreement”) to renew the financial 
services transaction and extend the term for an additional term of three financial years, commencing from 1 
January 2020 to 31 December 2022.

Pursuant to the Agreement, each of the maximum daily balance of deposits (including the corresponding 
interests accrued thereon) placed by the Group as well as the maximum amount of the outstanding loans 
provided by Finance Company to the Group (including the corresponding interests payable accrued 
thereon) for each of the three years ending 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022 shall not exceed the 
Deposit Services Cap which is set at RMB13.0 billion, RMB14.5 billion and RMB16.0 billion, respectively, 
on any given day. For details, please refer to the Company’s announcements on the Financial Services 
Framework Agreement dated 27 August 2019 and 12 September 2019 as well as circular dated 26 
October 2019.

On 31 December 2019, the deposits placed by the Group with Finance Company were RMB711 million. 
For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group charged a service fee of RMB0. 

C.  GSC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH

On 16 December 2016, the Company entered into a Passenger and Cargo Sales and Ground Services Framework 
Agreement (the “Passenger and Cargo Sales and Ground Services Framework Agreement”) for a term of three 
years starting from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019. Under Passenger and Cargo Sales and Ground Services 
Framework Agreement, GSC agreed to provide certain services and charge agent service fee and services fees while 
the Company agreed to lease certain assets including transportation tools and equipment and workplace and charge 
rental thereon. GSC agrees to provide the following services to the Group: (i) domestic and international air ticket 
sales agency services; (ii) domestic and international airfreight forwarding sales agency services; (iii) chartered flight 
and pallets sales agency services; (iv) import and export port and transfer services related to cargo operations; (v) 
ground services, including aircraft maintenance, cabin cleaning, cleaning, collecting and issuing of towels, entertaining 
equipment maintenance within aircraft, surface cleaning of aircraft and comprehensive ground services; and (vi) 
support to sales and services oriented to major direct customers of the Company. In respect of the services provided 
by GSC to the Group, the agency fee for sales agency services is determined by reference to the agency ratio paid 
to the agency companies by the airlines companies of the same types of the industry in the same regions (including 
domestic and foreign market). The service fee for internal operation services is determined by the fee standard 
prescribed by the local government. The service fee for other maintenance and ground services is mainly determined 
based on related costs (mainly including labor costs, operation costs, management costs and taxes) in addition to 
10% profit ratio. With respect to the rentals to be received by the Company, rentals are determined with reference 
to the valuation prepared by valuation agency (independent third party). The Company expects the annual fees 
payable to the Group under Passenger and Cargo Sales and Ground Services Framework Agreement will not exceed 
RMB10 million. Under Passenger and Cargo Sales and Ground Services Framework Agreement, the annual caps for 
the services provided to the Group by GCS for each of the three years ended 31 December 2019 will be RMB270 
million, RMB330 million and RMB400 million, respectively.

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Report of Directors

GSC entered into liquidation at the year end of 2018 and has no transaction with the Group this year. For the year 
ended 31 December 2019, the Group had paid Shenzhen Baiyun Air Service Co.,Ltd., the subsidiary of GSC, agent 
service fee of RMB44 million.

D.  CSAGPMC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH

The Company has entered into the new Property Management Framework Agreement (the “Property Management 
Framework Agreement”) with CSAGPMC on 19 December 2017 for a term of three years from 1 January 2018 to 31 
December 2020 to renew the property management transactions. Pursuant to the Property Management Framework 
Agreement, the Company has renewed the appointment of CSAGPMC for the provision of property management and 
maintenance services for the Company’s properties at the old Baiyun Airport and the new Baiyun International Airport 
and surrounding in Guangzhou, the Company’s leased properties in the airport terminal at new Baiyun International 
Airport, the base and the 110KV transformer substation at the new Baiyun International Airport to ensure the ideal working 
conditions of the Company’s production and office facilities and physical environment, and the normal operation of 
equipment and for the provision of the property management and maintenance services for the power transformation 
and distribution equipment at Guangzhou cargo terminal, and the provision of the electricity charge agency services. 
In addition, the scope of the property under the Property Management Framework Agreement has been reviewed 
and adjusted.

The annual cap for management and maintenance services fee payable pursuant to the new Property Management 
Framework Agreement is set at RMB155 million for each of the three years ending 31 December 2018, 2019 
and 2020, respectively. The annual cap was determined at an arm’s length negotiation between both parties 
with reference to (i) the original annual caps, the actual transaction amount for 2015 and 2016, and the expected 
transaction amount for 2017 which will possible nearly reach the original annual cap; (ii) the substantial increase in the 
labour cost; and (iii) the expected substantial increase in the coverage of properties.

The property management services fee shall be determined at an arm’s length basis between both parties and 
according to the market prices, which shall be determined with reference to the consultation by the Company in the 
property management market, taking into account the location, areas and types of the properties of the Company at 
the old Baiyun Airport and new Baiyun International Airport. The property management services fee charged should 
not be higher than the one charged by any independent third parties in the similar industries.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the property management and maintenance fee incurred by the Group 
amounted to RMB148 million pursuant to the Property Management Framework Agreement.

E.  SACC, which is 50.1% owned by CSAH

The Company entered into a new Catering Services Framework Agreement (the “New Catering Services Framework 
Agreement”) on 27 December 2018 with SACC to renew the catering services transaction under the catering services 
framework agreement (the “Catering Services Framework Agreement”) renewed by the Company with SACC for a 
term of three years on 30 December 2015 and extend the term for an additional term of three years, commencing 
from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the service fee for new catering services transaction mainly include four parts, i.e. in-
flight meal boxes fees, service fee, in-flight supply service fee and storage management fees. The in-flight meal 
boxes fees are the main charging item, the determination of which is in accordance with raw material costs, labor 
costs, management fees, tax and fixed profit rate in the corresponding proportions of 35%, 35%, 10%, 10% and 
10%, respectively. Other charges will be determined based on applicable items such as rental, labor costs, facilities 
depreciation costs and management fees. For the labor costs, it will be determined by reference to the average 
wage of the previous year issued by the Shenzhen Municipal Government. The various service fee charged by SACC 
should not be higher than the fees charged by any independent third parties in the similar locations providing similar 
services. The Company will fund the services fee wholly by its internal resources.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceThe annual caps for each of the three financial years ending 31 December 2019, 2020 and 2021 are RMB231 
million, RMB266 million and RMB306 million, respectively. The proposed annual caps are determined at an arm’s 
length basis between both parties by reference to historical figures as disclosed above, the estimated flight growth 
in the next three financial years and the natural market growth. In particular, according to the data released by the 
Civil Aviation Administration of China, the growth rate of passenger traffic in China in 2017 was 13%. The number of 
inbound and outbound flights operated by the Company at Shenzhen Airport is estimated to continue to increase in 
2020 to 2021, accordingly, the demand for in-flight meals and supplies will also increase. Secondly, the labor costs 
in Shenzhen has increased annually. The average annual growth rate of the minimum wage in Shenzhen from 2014 
to 2018 was approximately 6.7%. At the same time, the Company takes into consideration a buffer to cater for future 
growth given the historical figures and possible changes in the standard of in-flight meals.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the service fees paid by the Group to SACC was RMB142 million.

(3)  Trademark License Agreement

The Company and CSAH entered into a ten year trademark license agreement dated 22 May 1997. Pursuant to which 
CSAH acknowledges that the Company has the right to use the name “南方航空 (China Southern)” and “中國南方航
空 (China Southern Airlines)” in both Chinese and English, and grants the Company a renewable and royalty free license 
to use the kapok logo on a worldwide basis in connection with the Company’s airlines and airlines-related businesses. 
Unless CSAH gives a written notice of termination three months before the expiration of the agreement, the agreement will 
be automatically renewed for another ten-year term. In May 2017, the trademark license agreement entered into by the 
Company and CSAH was automatically renewed for ten years.

(4)  Leases

The Group (as lessee) and CSAH or its associates (as lessor) entered into lease agreements as follows:

A.  The Company and CSAH entered into the new Asset Lease Framework Agreement (the “Asset Lease Framework 

Agreement”) on 26 January 2018 for a term of three years commencing from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 
to continue the asset lease transactions originally covered under the original Asset Lease Agreement. Pursuant to the 
new Asset Lease Framework Agreement, CSAH has agreed to continue to lease to the Company certain buildings, 
land and equipment assets at existing locations in Guangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Haikou, Zhanjiang and Nanyang. 
The annual cap for rent payable pursuant to the new Asset Lease Framework Agreement is set at RMB116,198,000. 
The annual cap was determined after arm’s length negotiation by the parties and with reference to (i) rental 
assessment report with the valuation date on 30 June 2017 prepared by Pan-China Assets Appraisal Co., Ltd. (北京
天健興業資產評估有限公司); and (ii) the historical annual rent paid and the annual cap.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the rent incurred by the Group amounted to RMB90 million pursuant to the 
Asset Lease Agreement.

B.  The Company and CSAH entered into an indemnification agreement dated 22 May 1997 in which CSAH has agreed 
to indemnify the Company against any loss or damage caused by or arising from any challenge of, or interference 
with, the Company’s right to use certain lands and buildings.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

C. 

(1)  On 16 December 2016, the Company and CSAH have entered into a new property and land lease framework 
agreement (the “Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement”) to renew the land and property leases 
transactions contemplated under the Lease Agreements for the period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 
2019. Pursuant to the Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement, CSAH agreed to (i) lease certain 
properties, facilities and other infrastructure located in various cities such as Guangzhou, Shenyang, Dalian, 
Harbin, Xinjiang, Changchun, Beijing and Shanghai held by CSAH or its subsidiaries to the Company for office 
use related to the civil aviation business development; and (ii) lease certain lands located in Xinjiang, Harbin, 
Changchun, Dalian and Shenyang by leasing the land use rights of such lands to the Company for the purposes 
of civil aviation and related businesses of the Company. The annual rental is determined after arm’s length 
negotiation between the parties and adjusted with reference to the rental assessment report prepared by 
Guangdong Zhonglian Yangcheng Asset Appraisal Co., Ltd. taking into account the prevailing market rental for 
properties located at similar locations which have had the trend of increase. The maximum annual aggregate 
amount of rent payable by the Company to CSAH under the Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement 
for each of the three years ended 31 December 2019 shall not exceed RMB130 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the rents for property lease and land lease incurred by the Company 
amounted to RMB98 million pursuant to the Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement. 

(2)  On 30 December 2019, the Company entered into a new Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement 
with CSAH (“New Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement”) to renew the property and land lease 
transactions contemplated under the Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement for a term commencing 
from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. Pursuant to the New Property and Land Lease Framework 
Agreement, CSAH agreed to (i) lease certain properties, facilities and other infrastructure located in various cities 
such as Beijing, Shenyang, Chaoyang, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin, Urumqi and overseas locations held 
by CSAH or its subsidiaries to the Company for office use related to the civil aviation business development; 
and (ii) lease certain lands located in Shenyang, Chaoyang, Dalian, Changchun, Harbin and Urumqi by leasing 
the land use rights of such lands to the Company for the purposes of civil aviation and related businesses of 
the Company. The annual rental is determined after arm’s length negotiation between the parties, based on the 
fair market rental of the relevant properties, facilities, infrastructure and lands. In addition, CSAH agreed that 
the annual rental shall not be higher than the prevailing market rental for properties, facilities, infrastructure and 
lands located at similar locations. The annual rental will be payable on a quarterly basis and will be funded by 
the internal resources of the Company. The annual aggregate amount of rent payable by the Company to CSAH 
under the Property and Land Lease Framework Agreement for each of the three years ending 31 December 
2020, 2021 and 2022 is RMB96.78 million, which was determined with reference to the Rental Assessment 
Results.

The transactions should be regarded as an acquisition of asset under the definition of transaction set out in rule 
14.04(1)(a) of the Listing Rules. The aggregate value of the right-of-use asset recognised under the transaction 
is RMB259,335,413.67 (the “Value of the Right-of-use Asset”). The Value of the Right-of-use Asset will be 
amortised over the lease period.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceD.  On 27 April 2017, the Company entered into a finance lease agreement in relation to one Airbus A321 aircraft (“A321 
Finance Lease Agreement”) and a finance lease agreement in relation to one Airbus A330 aircraft (“A330 Finance 
Lease Agreement”) with Guangzhou Nansha CSA Tianru Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CSA Leasing Company”), an associate of 
CSAH, respectively, pursuant to which CSA Leasing Company agreed to provide finance leasing to the Company in 
relation to one Airbus A321 aircraft and one Airbus A330-300 aircraft, respectively, in accordance with the terms and 
conditions of relevant Finance Lease Agreements. Under relevant Finance Lease Agreements, the applicable interest 
rate will be 21.6% below the lower limit of interest rate for RMB loan for above 5 years set by the People’s Bank of 
China and the rental fee is the repayment of the principal amount and the interest under relevant Finance Leases.

Under the A321 Finance Lease Agreement, (1) the lease term is 12 years, commencing on the Delivery Date of 
relevant aircraft, (2) principal amount is not more than 100% of the consideration for the purchase of relevant aircraft, 
(3) the applicable interest rate will be 21.6% float down of the interest rate for RMB loan for above 5 years set by 
the People’s Bank of China and the rental fee is the repayment of the principal amount and the interest under such 
Finance Lease. The total amount of rental fees payable to CSA Leasing Company is not expected to be more than 
US$80 million (which is equivalent to approximately RMB552 million), (4) the handling fee for the relevant aircraft shall 
be paid to CSA Leasing Company in one lump sum prior to the Delivery Date, which is estimated to be of no more 
than US$293,150 (which is equivalent to approximately RMB2,022,735), and (5) upon the expiry of the lease term, 
the Company is entitled to purchase such aircraft back from CSA Leasing Company at RMB10,000 for such aircraft.

Under the A330 Finance Lease Agreement, (1) the lease term is 12 years, commencing on the Delivery Date of 
relevant aircraft, (2) principal amount is not more than 100% of the consideration for the purchase of relevant aircraft, (3) 
the applicable interest rate will be 21.6% below the interest rate for RMB loan for above 5 years set by the People’s 
Bank of China and the rental fee is the repayment of the principal amount and the interest under such Finance Lease. 
The total amount of rental fees payable to CSA Leasing Company is not expected to be more than US$170 million (which 
is equivalent to approximately RMB1,173 million), (4) the respective handling fee for the relevant aircraft shall be paid 
to CSA Leasing Company in one lump sum prior to the Delivery Date, which is estimated to be of no more than 
US$634,700 (which is equivalent to approximately RMB4,379,430), and (5) upon the expiry of the lease term, the 
Company is entitled to repurchase such aircraft back from CSA Leasing Company at RMB10,000 for such aircraft.

The total rental fee and handling fee for the Aircraft Finance Leases shall not exceed US$250.93 million (which is 
equivalent to approximately RMB1,731.42 million).

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the rental fee and handling fee paid by the Company to CSA Leasing 
Company under the A321 Finance Lease Agreement and A330 Finance Lease Agreement were RMB127 million 
and RMB0, respectively. Up to 31 December 2019, the Company paid the total rental fee and handling fee to CSA 
Leasing Company under the A321 Finance Lease Agreement and A330 Finance Lease Agreement to the extent of 
RMB305 million.

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E. 

(1)  On 17 October 2017, the Company entered into the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework 

Agreement (“2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement”) with CSA International Finance 
Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CSA International”), an associate of CSAH for an effective term from 1 January 2018 to 31 
December 2019.

CSA International agreed to provide finance leasing service to the Company in relation to the Leased Aircraft, 
Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation Related Equipment, as well as the operating lease service 
to the Company in relation to certain aircraft and engines, as and when the Company considers desirable, in 
the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole in accordance with the terms and conditions of 
the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement and the relevant implementation agreements 
contemplated thereunder.

(a)  Subject matter under the Finance Lease Transactions under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service 

Framework Agreement contains the Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation 
Related Equipment comprises part of the aircraft, Aircraft Related Assets and Aviation Related Equipment in 
the Company’s introduction plan from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, subject to adjustment from 
time to time. The number of the leased Aircraft will be no more than 41 and 46 for the two years ended 
31 December 2018 and 31 December 2019, respectively. Under the Finance Lease Transactions, principal 
amount shall not more than 100% of the consideration for the purchase of the subject matter (including 
the aircraft, the Aircraft Related Assets and the Aviation Related Equipment), the applicable interest rate 
will be further determined and agreed by the Company and CSA International with reference to the results 
of the Company’s requests for proposals or other bidding processes in respect of financing of the aircraft, 
Aircraft Related Assets and Aviation Related Equipment satisfying certain prerequisites. The rental fee is 
the repayment of the principal amount for the subject matter and the interest under the Finance Lease 
Transactions.

The lease period of the subject matter under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework 
Agreement will be agreed upon entering into the individual Finance Lease Agreements. Based on previous 
similar transactions, the lease period of the Leased Aircraft and Leased Aircraft Related Assets under 
the separate Finance Lease Agreement(s) would be 10 to 12 years. The respective handling fee for each 
of (i) the Leased Aircraft and Leased Aircraft Related Assets which is not more than 1% of the principal 
amount for each of the Leased Aircraft and Leased Aircraft Related Assets; and (ii) the Leased Aviation 
Related Equipment which is not more than 1.5% of the principal amount for each of the Leased Aviation 
Related Equipment shall be paid by the Company to CSA International prior to the commencement of the 
respective Delivery Date. Upon the payment of the last instalment of rental fee by the Company to CSA 
International for each of the relevant Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation 
Related Equipment, the Company is entitled to purchase the relevant Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft 
Related Assets and Leased Aviation Related Equipment back from CSA International at a nominal purchase 
price for such subject matter.

Based on the assumption that (i) the maximum aggregate transaction amount (including the principal, 
interest payable and handling fee) of the aircraft (excluding helicopter) finance lease transactions shall not 
exceed half of the aggregate amount (including the principal, interest payable and handling fee) of all the 
aircraft scheduled to be introduced under the Company’s introduction plan from 2018 to 2019; (ii) the 
maximum aggregate transaction amount of the finance lease of the Aircraft Related Assets shall not exceed 
75% of all the Aircraft Related Assets to be introduced under the Company’s introduction plan from 2018 
to 2019; and (iii) the maximum aggregate transaction amount of the finance lease of the Aviation Related 
Equipment shall not exceed total amount of the Aviation Related Equipment to be introduced under the 
Company’s introduction plan from 2018 to 2019, the total transaction amount under the Finance Lease 
Transactions for the year ended 31 December 2018 and the year ended 31 December 2019 is US$2,621 
million and US$3,126 million.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceFor the year ended 31 December 2019, the transaction amounts of the Finance Lease transaction paid by 
the Company under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement was RMB12,820 
million. 

(b)  Subject matter under the Operating Lease Transactions under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service 
Framework Agreement contains the aircraft and engines in the Company’s introduction plan through 
operating lease from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019. The rental fee will be further determined and 
agreed by the Company and CSA International with reference to the results of the Company’s requests 
for proposals or other bidding processes in respect of leasing of aircraft and engines satisfying certain 
prerequisites.

During the lease period, CSA International has ownership of the aircraft and engines and the Company has 
the rights to use the aircraft and engines. Upon the expiry of the lease period, the Company should return 
the aircraft and engines to CSA International.

In arriving the proposed cap under Operating Lease Transactions, the Company considered the aircraft 
and engines to be introduced based on the Company’s introduction plan for 2018 and 2019 and their 
estimated monthly rental fee. For aircraft, the Company made reference to the available market data on 
current market value and lease rate factor generally adopted in the aviation industry for aircraft of different 
models and age. The calculation of the monthly rental fee is derived by multiplying the relevant current 
market value and lease rate factor for aircraft of similar model and age. For engines, as the Company 
expects the Operating Lease Transactions will only involve one model of engine, the Company used the 
previous rental fee for same model of engine to calculate the cap. Considering the above, the proposed 
maximum annual rental fee under the Operating Lease Transactions for the year ended 31 December 2018 
and the year ended 31 December 2019 is US$150 million and US$240 million.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the rental fee of the operating Lease transaction paid by the 
Company under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement was RMB125 million. 

(2)  On 10 October 2019, the Company entered into the 2020-2022 Finance and Lease Service Framework 

Agreement with CSA International to renew the transactions under the 2018-2019 Finance and Lease Service 
Framework Agreement for an additional term of three years from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022.

CSA International agreed to continue to provide finance leasing service to the Company in relation to the Leased 
Aircraft, Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation Related Equipment, as well as the operating lease 
service to the Company in relation to certain aircraft, helicopters and engines, as and when the Company 
considers desirable, in the interests of the Company and the Shareholders as a whole in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of the 2020-2022 Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement and the relevant 
implementation agreements contemplated thereunder.

(a)  Subject matter under the Finance Lease Transactions under the 2020-2022 Finance and Lease Service 

Framework Agreement contains the Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation 
Related Equipment (comprises part of the aircraft, Aircraft Related Assets and Aviation Related Equipment 
in the Company’s introduction plan from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, subject to adjustment from 
time to time). The number of the leased Aircraft will be no more than 50, 51 and 41 for the years ending 
31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022, respectively (subject to adjustment from 
time to time). Under the Finance Lease Transactions, the aggregate principal amount shall not more than 
100% of the consideration for the purchase of the subject matter (including the aircraft, the Aircraft Related 
Assets and the Aviation Related Equipment), the applicable interest rate will be further determined and 
agreed by the Company and CSA International with reference to the results of the Company’s requests 
for proposals or other bidding processes in respect of financing of the aircraft, Aircraft Related Assets and 
Aviation Related Equipment satisfying certain prerequisites. The rental fee is the repayment of the principal 
amount for the subject matter and the interest under the Finance Lease Transactions.

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The lease period of the subject matter under the 2020-2022 Finance and Lease Service Framework 
Agreement will be agreed upon entering into the individual Finance Lease Agreements. Based on previous 
similar transactions, the lease period of the Leased Aircraft under the separate Finance Lease Agreement(s) 
would be 10-12 years. Based on the common practice of the aviation industry, the lease period of the 
Leased Aircraft Related Assets would be 12 years. The respective handling fee for each of (i) the Leased 
Aircraft and Leased Aircraft Related Assets which is not more than 1% of the principal amount for each 
of the Leased Aircraft and Leased Aircraft Related Assets; and (ii) the Leased Aviation Related Equipment 
which is not more than 1.5% of the principal amount for each of the Leased Aviation Related Equipment 
shall be paid by the Company to CSA International prior to the commencement of the respective Delivery 
Date or on the agreed date after the respective Delivery Date. Upon the payment of the last instalment of 
rental fee by the Company to CSA International for each of the relevant Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft 
Related Assets and Leased Aviation Related Equipment, the Company is entitled to purchase the relevant 
Leased Aircraft, Leased Aircraft Related Assets and Leased Aviation Related Equipment back from CSA 
International at a nominal purchase price for such subject matter.

Based on the assumption that (i) the maximum aggregate transaction amount (including the principal, 
interest and handling fee) of the aircraft (excluding helicopters) finance lease transactions shall not exceed 
60% of the aggregate amount (including the principal, interest and handling fee) of all the aircraft planned 
to be introduced under the Company’s introduction plan from 2020 to 2022; (ii) the maximum aggregate 
transaction amount of the finance lease of the Aircraft Related Assets shall not exceed total amount of the 
Aircraft Related Assets to be introduced under the Company’s introduction plan from 2020 to 2022; and (iii) 
the maximum aggregate transaction amount of the finance lease of the Aviation Related Equipment shall not 
exceed total amount of the Aviation Related Equipment to be introduced under the Company’s introduction 
plan from 2020 to 2022, the proposed total rental fee (including principal and interest) and handling fee 
under the Finance Lease Transactions are US$5,140 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB), US$5,039 
million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) and US$4,434 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) for the 
three years ending 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022. Pursuant to IFRS 16, 
the Finance Lease Transactions by the Company (including the wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries of 
the Company or their wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries) as lessee under the 2020-2022 Finance and 
Lease Service Framework Agreement will be recognised as right-of-use assets, the proposed caps for the 
Finance Lease for the years ending 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022 under the 2020-2022 Finance and 
Lease Service Framework Agreement are US$3,922 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB), US$3,833 
million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) and US$3,385 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB), 
respectively.

(b)  Subject matter under the Operating Lease Transactions under the 2020-2022 Finance and Lease Service 
Framework Agreement contains the aircraft, helicopters and engines in the Company’s introduction 
plan through operating lease from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. The rental fee will be further 
determined and agreed by the Company and CSA International with reference to the results of the 
Company’s requests for proposals or other bidding processes in respect of leasing of aircraft, helicopters 
and engines satisfying certain prerequisites.

During the lease period, CSA International has ownership of the aircraft, helicopters and engines and the 
Company have the rights to use the aircraft, helicopters and engines. Upon the expiry of the lease period, 
the Company should return the aircraft, helicopters and engines to CSA International.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceIn arriving the proposed caps under the Operating Lease Transactions, the Company considered the 
aircraft, helicopters and engines planned to be introduced by operating lease based on the Company’s 
introduction plan for 2020 to 2022 and their estimated monthly rental fee. For aircraft and helicopters, 
the Company made reference to the available market data on current market value and lease rate factor 
generally adopted in the aviation industry for aircraft and helicopters of different models and age. The 
calculation of the monthly rental fee is derived by multiplying the relevant current market value and lease 
rate factor for aircraft or helicopters of similar model and age. Specifically, the Company considered the 
conditions and utilisation of individual aircraft and (i) the lease period for the aircraft being 5 to 12 years and 
a lease rate factor of 0.85%; and (ii) the lease period for the helicopters being 12 years and a lease rate 
factor of 1.3%. For engines, the Company made reference to the available market data on current lease 
rates generally adopted in the aviation industry for engines of different models and age, considering the 
condition and utilisation of individual engines, and the lease period being 2 to 10 years.

Based on the assumption that (i) the maximum aggregate transaction amount (including the principal, 
interest payable and handling fee) of operating lease transactions of the aircraft and helicopters shall 
not exceed 50% of the aggregate amount of all aircraft planned to be introduced under the Company’s 
introduction plan from 2020 to 2022; and (ii) the maximum aggregate transaction amount of the operating 
lease of the engines shall not exceed total amount of the engines planned to be introduced under the 
Company’s introduction plan from 2020 to 2022, the proposed maximum annual rental fee under the 
Operating Lease Transactions) are US$135 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB), US$255 million (or 
the equivalent amount in RMB) and US$368 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) for the three years 
ending 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022, and proposed maximum total 
rental fee under the Operating Lease Transactions are US$1,385 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB), 
US$1,213 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) and US$1,201 million (or the equivalent amount in 
RMB) for the three years ending 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2022. Pursuant 
to IFRS 16, the Operating Lease Transactions by the Company as lessee under the 2020-2022 Finance 
and Lease Service Framework Agreement will be recognised as right-of-use assets, the proposed caps 
for the Operating Lease for the years ending 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022 under the 2020-2022 
Finance and Lease Service Framework Agreement are approximately US$1,116 million (or the equivalent 
amount in RMB), US$961 million (or the equivalent amount in RMB) and US$949 million (or the equivalent 
amount in RMB), respectively.

F.  On 19 January 2018, the Company has entered into the CSA Building Asset Lease Agreement (“Building Asset Lease 

Agreement”) with Guangzhou Southern Airlines Construction Company Limited (“GSAC”, a wholly-owned subsidiary 
of CSAH) for a term of three years commencing from 19 January 2018 to 18 January 2021. Pursuant to the Building 
Asset Lease Agreement, GSAC has agreed to lease to (i) certain offices at floors 1-10, 12 and 17-36 in CSA Building 
located at West Side of Yuncheng East Road, Baiyun Xincheng, Baiyun District, Guangzhou with an aggregate gross 
floor area of not exceeding 88,396 square meters at an annual rental of not exceeding RMB159,112,800; and (ii) 550 
parking lots in CSA Building at an annual rental of not exceeding RMB5,520,000. The annual rental was determined 
after arm’s length negotiation by the parties, and the annual rental for the offices was adjusted with reference to real 
property rental assessment report prepared by Shenzhen Cushman & Wakefield Land & Property Appraisal Co., Ltd. (深
圳市戴德梁行土地房地產評估有限公司) taking into account the nature and development of the surrounding areas, the 
transportation condition, the prevailing market rental for office buildings located at Guangzhou and similar locations. 
For each of the three years ending 31 December 2018, 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2020, the Group’s 
maximum rental payable to GSAC under the Building Asset Lease Agreement will be no more than RMB156,513,922, 
RMB164,632,800 and RMB164,632,800, respectively.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the rental fee paid by the Company under Building Asset Lease Agreement 
to GSAC was RMB157 million. 

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(5)  Capital Increase

On 1 March 2019, the Company entered into the Capital Increase Agreement (the “Capital Increase Agreement”) with 
CSAH, Xiamen Airlines, Shantou Airlines, Zhuhai Airlines and Nanland Company. Pursuant to the Capital Increase 
Agreement, the parties agreed that the Company to increase its respective capital contribution in the total sum of RMB500 
million to the Finance Company. RMB304,798,670 of such capital increase will be used to increase the registered capital 
from RMB1,072,927,050 to RMB1,377,725,720, while RMB195,201,330 will be used to increase the capital reserve of 
Finance Company. CSAH and the non-wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, including Xiamen Airlines, Shantou 
Airlines, Zhuhai Airlines and Nanland Company, agreed to waive their rights to make capital contributions. Upon the 
completion of capital increase, the equity interest held by the Company in the Finance Company would increase from 
25.277% to 41.808%. The amounts of capital increase to the Finance Company were determined after arm's length 
negotiations among the parties with reference to, among other things, the net asset value of Finance Company as at 30 
June 2018 and the current respective proportion of shareholding of the parties in the Finance Company.

In 2019, the Company made capital contribution of RMB500 million in cash to Finance Company.

(6)  Share Issuance

On 11 September 2018, the Company issued 600,925,925 H Shares in total to Nan Lung at the issue price of HK$6.034 
pursuant to the subscription agreement dated 26 June 2017 and entered into between the Company and Nan Lung. 
For details, please refer to the announcement of the Company published on the website of the Stock Exchange on 11 
September 2018. The use of proceeds utilized was consistent with the intended use of proceeds as previously disclosed.

Gross proceeds and the use of proceeds from H Shares Issuance: 

Gross proceeds from 
H Shares Issuance 
(HKD)

Intended use of the 
proceeds as previously 
disclosed

Utilized proceeds 
as of 31  
December 2019 
(HKD)

Unutilized 
proceeds as of 31 
December 2019 
(HKD)

Expected timeline 
for the use 
of unutilized 
proceeds

3,625,987,031.45 Supplement of general  

3,625,987,031.45

0

Not applicable

working capital

On 27 September 2018, the Company issued 1,578,073,089 A Shares in total at the issue price of RMB6.02 per A 
Share pursuant to the subscription agreement dated 26 June 2017 and entered into between CSAH and the Company 
(as amended by the supplemental agreement I dated 19 September 2017), raising gross proceeds and net proceeds of 
RMB9,499,999,995.78 and RMB9,488,178,222.86, respectively. For details, please refer to the announcement of the 
Company published on the website of the Stock Exchange on 27 September 2018. The use of proceeds utilized was 
consistent with the intended use of proceeds as previously disclosed.

Gross proceeds and the use of proceeds from A Shares Issuance: 

Gross proceeds  
from A Shares  
Issuance (RMB)

Intended use of the proceeds as 
previously disclosed

Utilized proceeds 
as of 31 December 
2019 (RMB)

Unutilized proceeds 
as of 31 December 
2019 (RMB)

9,499,999,995.78 1. The project for introducing 41 aircraft

7,760,331,565.74

4,656,625.66

2. The project for selection and  

installation of lightweight seats for  

  A320 series aircraft

Expected timeline 
for the use of 
unutilized 
proceeds

It is expected that 
the unutilized 
proceeds will be 
used in full before 
30 June 2020

76

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:  The total amounts of funds raised from Non-public Issuance of A shares were RMB9,499,999,995.78, and the total amounts of 
cash raised was RMB7,758,919,995.78. After deducting the underwriting expenses, the net cash subscription amount actually 
received was RMB7,748,254,995.79. The net cash subscription amounts (net of other issuance expenses (including VAT) paid by 
the Company and bank handling fee) was RMB1,268,032.31 in total, the actual net proceeds raised was RMB7,746,986,963.48.

The Company utilized the proceeds to the extent of RMB6,844,048,661.10 in previous years, and utilized the proceeds in 
the amount of RMB916,282,904.64 in 2019 (including utilization of interest income and investment income from unutilized 
funds amounting to RMB16,831,732.83). As at 31 December 2019, the accumulated amounts of funds utilized were 
RMB7,760,331,565.74 and the amounts of unutilized proceeds were RMB4,656,625.66 (including RMB1,169,495.09 
generated from unutilized interest income net off bank handling fee and investment income from unutilized funds).

(7)  Proposed Share Issuance

On 30 October 2019, the Board of the Company proposed to put forward to the extraordinary general meeting and 
the class meetings to approve and authorise the Board of the Company to issue not more than 2,453,434,457 new A 
Shares (including 2,453,434,457 A Shares) to CSAH (“A Share Issuance”) at the A Share subscription price, and enter 
into the A Shares subscription agreement with CSAH (“A Shares Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which CSAH 
proposed to subscribe for not more than 2,453,434,457 new A Shares, the consideration of which shall be satisfied by 
cash. On the same day, the Board of the Company also proposed to put forward to the extraordinary general meeting 
to approve the connected transaction in relation to the issuance of not more than 613,358,614 new H Shares (including 
613,358,614 H Shares) to Nan Lung (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH) at the H Share subscription price and to enter 
into the H Shares Subscription Agreement with Nan Lung (“H Share Issuance”, together with “A Share Issuance” referred 
to as “Proposed Share Issuance”). The total funds to be raised from the aforesaid A Share Issuance will be not more 
than RMB16,800.00 million (including RMB16,800.00 million), which will be utilised in the procurement of aircraft and the 
repayment of the Company’s borrowings. The total funds to be raised from the aforesaid H Share Issuance will be not 
more than HK$3,500.00 million (including HK$3,500.00 million), which will be utilised to supplement the general working 
capital of the Company. The aggregate nominal value of the new A Shares and new H Shares to be issued under the 
Proposed Share Issuance is not more than RMB3,066,793,071. The net price of each new A Share and new H Share 
to be issued under the Proposed Share Issuance will be determined and disclosed upon completion of the proposed A 
Share Issuance and proposed H Share Issuance, respectively, and the determination of the relevant expenses incurred or 
to be incurred in relation to the Proposed Share Issuance in accordance with the requirements of the Listing Rules. The 
aforesaid A Share Issuance and the H Share Issuance are not inter-conditional upon each other. The new A Shares to 
be issued under the aforesaid A Share Issuance will be issued pursuant to the specific mandate to be sought from the 
Independent Shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting and the class meetings. The new H Shares to be issued 
under the aforesaid H Share Issuance will be issued pursuant to the general mandate and shall be subject to approval by 
the Independent Shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting.

The A Share subscription price shall not be lower than a price (rounded up to the nearest two decimal places) determined 
as the higher of (i) the 90% of the average trading price of the A Shares as quoted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 
the 20 trading days immediately prior to the price benchmark date for the new A Shares, and (ii) the latest audited net 
asset value per Share attributable to equity shareholders of the Company. The average trading price of the A Shares in the 
20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new A Shares equals to the total trading amount of A Shares 
traded in the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new A Shares divided by the total volume of 
A Shares traded in the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new A Shares. The closing price of 
each A Share quoted on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on 30 October 2019 was RMB6.64. Where there are ex-right or 
ex-dividend events including distribution of dividend, bonus issue, rights issue, and transfer to share capital from capital 
reserve during the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new A Shares leading to an adjustment of 
the trading price of the A Shares, the trading prices of the A Shares for the trading days preceding such adjustment shall 
be adjusted in view of the ex-right or ex-dividend events. The A Share subscription price will be adjusted in case of ex-
right or ex-dividend events including distribution of dividend, bonus issue, rights issue, and transfer to share capital from 
capital reserve during the period from the price benchmark date for the new A Shares to the date of issuance of such 
new A Shares. The above-mentioned latest audited net asset value per Share attributable to equity shareholders of the 
Company will be adjusted in case of ex-right or ex-dividend events including distribution of dividend, bonus issue, rights 
issue, and transfer to share capital from capital reserve during the period from the balance sheet date of the Company’s 
latest audited financial report to the date of issuance of such new A Shares.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

The H Share subscription price shall not be lower than a price (rounded up to the nearest two decimal places) determined 
as the higher of (i) the average trading price of the H Shares as quoted on the Stock Exchange in the 20 trading days 
immediately prior to the price benchmark date for the new H Shares, and (ii) the latest audited net asset value per Share 
attributable to equity shareholders of the Company in HK$ calculated based on the median exchange rate announced by 
the People’s Bank of China on the price benchmark date for the new H Shares. In addition, the H Share subscription price 
shall not be lower than a price determined as the higher of (i) the closing price of the H Shares on the date of the H Share 
Issuance being approved by the Board (i.e. 30 October 2019), and (ii) the average closing price of the H Shares in the 5 
trading days immediately prior to the date of such Board’s approval. The average trading price of the H Shares in the 20 
trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new H Shares equals to the total trading amount of H Shares 
traded in the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new H Shares divided by the total volume of H 
Shares traded in the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new H Shares. Where there are ex-right 
or ex-dividend events including distribution of dividend, bonus issue, rights issue, and transfer to share capital from capital 
reserve during the period of the 20 trading days preceding the price benchmark date for the new H Shares leading to an 
adjustment of the trading price of the H Shares, the trading prices of the H Shares for the trading days preceding such 
adjustment shall be adjusted in view of the ex-right or ex-dividend events. The above-mentioned latest audited net asset 
value per Share attributable to equity shareholders of the Company will be adjusted in case of ex-right or ex-dividend 
events including distribution of dividend, bonus issue, rights issue, and transfer to share capital from capital reserve during 
the period from the balance sheet date of the Company’s latest audited financial report to the date of issuance of such 
new H Shares. Pursuant to the above-mentioned mechanism to determine the H Share subscription price, the closing 
price of the H Shares on the date of the H Shares Subscription Agreement is HK$4.880, and the average closing price of 
the H Shares in the 5 trading days immediately prior to the date of the H Shares Subscription Agreement is HK$4.824. 
Therefore, the H Share subscription price would not be lower than HK$4.880 per H Share.

For illustrative purposes only, the minimum subscription price for the new H Shares to be allotted and issued pursuant to 
the H Share Issuance represents: (a) no premium or discount to the closing price of HK$4.880 per H Share quoted on the 
Stock Exchange on the date of the H Shares Subscription Agreement; and (b) a premium of approximately 1.16% to the 
average closing price of HK$4.824 per H Share as quoted on the Stock Exchange for the 5 trading days immediately prior 
to 30 October 2019 and the date of the H Shares Subscription Agreement; and (c) a premium of approximately 0.45% to 
the average closing price of HK$4.858 per H Share as quoted on the Stock Exchange for the 10 trading days immediately 
prior to 30 October 2019 and the date of the H Shares Subscription Agreement.

On 27 December 2019, the aforesaid A Share Issuance and H Share Issuance were considered and approved at the 
Company’s 2019 second extraordinary general meeting, the 2019 first class meeting for holders of A shares, and the 
2019 first class meeting for holders of H shares. The aforesaid A Share Issuance and H Share Issuance are subject to the 
approval of CSRC.

The Company has confirmed that the execution and enforcement of the implementation agreements under the continuing 
connected transactions above for the year ended 31 December 2019 has followed the pricing principles of such continuing 
connected transactions.

The independent non-executive Directors of the Company have confirmed to the Board that they have reviewed all non-
exempt continuing connected transactions and are of the view that:

(a) 

those transactions were conducted in the ordinary and usual course of business of the Group;

(b) 

those transactions were entered into on normal commercial terms or better; and

(c) 

those transactions were conducted in accordance with the relevant agreement governing them on terms that were 
fair and reasonable and in the interests of the shareholders of the Company as a whole.

78

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceThe Company’s auditor was engaged to report on the Group’s continuing connected transactions in accordance with 
Hong Kong Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) “Assurance Engagements Other Than Audits or Reviews 
of Historical Financial Information” and with reference to Practice Note 740 “Auditor’s Letter on Continuing Connected 
Transactions under the Hong Kong Listing Rules” issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The 
auditor has issued their unqualified letter containing the auditor’s findings and conclusions in respect of the continuing 
connected transactions disclosed by the Group in the Annual Report in accordance with Main Board Listing Rule 14A.56. 
A copy of the auditor’s letter has been provided by the Company to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The 
Company’s auditor has indicated that:

(a)  nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing connected transactions 

have not been approved by the Company’s board of directors.

(b) 

for continuing connected transactions involving the provision of goods or services by the Group, nothing has come 
to their attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing connected transactions were not, in all 
material respects, in accordance with the pricing policies of the Group.

(c)  nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing connected transactions 

were not entered into, in all material respects, in accordance with the relevant agreements governing such 
transactions.

(d)  with respect to the aggregate amount of each of the aforementioned continuing connected transactions, nothing 

has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the disclosed continuing connected transactions have 
exceeded the annual cap as set by the Company.

Certain related party transactions as disclosed in note 52 to the financial statements prepared under IFRSs also 
constituted connected transactions under the Listing Rules and are required to be disclosed in accordance with Chapter 
14A of the Listing Rules. The Company has complied with the disclosure requirements of Chapter 14A of Listing Rules in 
respect of the above connected transactions or continuing connected transactions.

Donations

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group made donations for charitable purposes amounting to RMB35.93 
million.

Designated Deposits and Overdue Time Deposits

As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s deposits placed with financial institutions or other parties did not include any 
designated deposits, or overdue time deposits for which the Group failed to receive repayments.

Material Litigation

As at 31 December 2019, the Group was not involved in any material litigation.

79

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportReport of Directors

Subsequent Events

(a)  On 30 October 2019, the Company entered into the A Share Subscription Agreement with CSAH, pursuant to which 
the Company is to issue not more than 2,453,434,457 (inclusive) new A Shares to CSAH. The total funds to be 
raised from the A Share Issuance will be not more than RMB16,800 million (inclusive). In the meantime, the Company 
entered into the H Share Subscription Agreement with Nan Lung Holding Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
CSAH), pursuant to which the Company is to issue not more than 613,358,614 (inclusive) new H shares. The total 
funds to be raised from the H Share Issuance will be not more than HKD3,500 million (inclusive). The consideration of 
A and H shares will be satisfied by cash. Both of the A Share Issuance and the H Share Issuance were approved by 
the Extraordinary General Meeting and the respective Class Meetings on 27 December 2019. The Company received 
the “Acceptance Notice of the Application for Administration Permission” issued by China Securities Regulatory 
Commission (“CSRC”) for the A Share Issuance and H share Issuance on 6 January 2020 and 11 February 2020, 
respectively. Up to the issuance date of this report, the A Share Issuance and H share Issuance are under review by 
CSRC.

(b)  The COVID-19 outbreak (the “Outbreak”) since early 2020 has brought about uncertainties in the Group’s operating 
environment and has impacted the Group’s operations and financial position. The Group’s revenue tonne kilometers 
for the first two months of 2020 has decreased by approximately 37% as compared to the same period of 2019. 
The Group estimates the outbreak will have an adverse impact on the Group’s business operation and operating 
revenue for the year 2020, which casts uncertainties in the Group’s operating environment. The Group has been 
closely monitoring the impact of the developments of the Outbreak on the Group’s business and has put in place 
contingency measures. These contingency measures include: temporarily reducing the numbers of flights of certain 
routes, provisionally suspending certain domestic and international routes according to the travel restrictions of related 
countries and regions. Based on the Group’s actual performance in early 2020, contingent measures put in place and 
unutilised available banking facilities, etc., the Group has carried out a review of the cash flow forecast of the Group 
for the eighteen months period after the balance sheet date. Based on such forecast, the Directors of the Company 
believe that adequate funding will be available for the working capital and capital expenditure requirements of the 
Group during that period. Up to the issuance date of this report, the Outbreak hasn’t ended and the Group cannot 
reasonably estimate its impact on the business operation and financial performance. The Group will proactively keep 
contingency measures under review as the situation evolves.

Auditors

A resolution is to be proposed at the forthcoming annual general meeting of the Company for the appointment of KPMG 
Huazhen LLP to provide professional services to the Company for its domestic financial reporting and internal control 
reporting, U.S. financial reporting and internal control reporting for the year 2020 and KPMG to provide professional 
services to the Company for its Hong Kong financial reporting for the year 2020. There has been no change in the 
Company's auditors in the past three years.

By order of the Board
Wang Chang Shun
Chairman

Guangzhou, the PRC
30 March 2020

80

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceCHANGES IN THE SHARE CAPITAL, SHAREHOLDERS’ 
PROFILE AND DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

I.  Change in Share Capital

31 December 2018

Number of  
Shares

Percentage  
(%)

Increase/ 
(decrease) during 
the year 2019
Number of 
Shares

Unit: Share

31 December 2019

Number of  
Shares

Percentage  
(%)

I

Shares subject to restrictions on sales

1. RMB ordinary shares

2. Overseas listed foreign shares

Total

II

Shares not subject to restrictions on sales

1. RMB ordinary shares

2. Overseas listed foreign shares

Total

III

Total number of shares

1,578,073,089

600,925,925

2,178,999,014

7,022,650,000

3,065,523,272

10,088,173,272

12,267,172,286

12.86

4.90

17.76

57.25

24.99

82.24

100.00

(1,088,870,431)

489,202,658

0

600,925,925

(1,088,870,431)

1,090,128,583

1,088,870,431

8,111,520,431

0

3,065,523,272

1,088,870,431

11,177,043,703

0

12,267,172,286

3.99

4.90

8.89

66.12

24.99

91.11

100.00

On 26 September 2019, A shares issued by the Company to China National Aviation Fuel Group Corporation, Spring 
Airlines Co., Ltd., Guo Xin Central Enterprise Operation (Guangzhou) Investment Fund (LLP), China Structural Reform Fund 
Co., Ltd., Hotland Innovation Asset Management Co., Ltd. and China Life Asset Management Company Limited was lifted 
due to the expiry of the lock-up period. Please refer to the related announcements of the Company published on China 
Securities Journal, Shanghai Securities News, Securities Times and the website of the SSE on 21 September 2019 for 
details.

II.  Issuance and Listing of Securities

Issuance 

Amount  

approved for 

Ending date 

Amount  

Type of securities and derivatives

Issuance date

interest rate

issued

Listing date

public trading

of transaction

Convertible corporate bonds, bonds with detachable warrants and corporate bonds

Corporate Bonds (19 China Southern 

 21 February 2019

3.45%

RMB3.0 billion

4 March 2019

RMB3.0 billion

22 February 2022

Airlines 01)

Corporate Bonds (19 China Southern 

16 May 2019

3.72%

RMB2.0 billion

29 May 2019

RMB2.0 billion

17 May 2022

Airlines 02)

Corporate Bonds (19 Xiamen  

20 November 2019

3.58%

RMB1.5 billion

27 November 2019

RMB1.5 billion

20 November 2022

Airlines 01)

Other derivatives

The first tranche of Ultra-short-term 

21 January 2019

2.60%

RMB2.0 billion

23 January 2019

RMB2.0 billion

19 July 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The second tranche of Ultra-short-term 

24 January 2019

2.75%

RMB2.0 billion

28 January 2019

RMB2.0 billion

21 October 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The third tranche of Ultra-short-term 

19 February 2019

2.25%

RMB0.5 billion

22 February 2019

RMB0.5 billion

21 May 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

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Changes in the Share Capital, Shareholders’ Profile and Disclosure of Interests

Type of securities and derivatives

Issuance date

interest rate

issued

Listing date

public trading

of transaction

The fourth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

19 February 2019

2.55%

RMB2.0 billion

22 February 2019

RMB2.0 billion

19 August 2019

Issuance 

Amount  

approved for 

Ending date 

Amount  

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The fifth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

22 February 2019

2.65%

RMB1.0 billion

27 February 2019

RMB1.0 billion

22 November 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The sixth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

26 February 2019

2.50%

RMB0.5 billion

28 February 2019

RMB0.5 billion

23 August 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The seventh tranche of Ultra-short-term 

22 March 2019

2.30%

RMB1.0 billion

27 March 2019

RMB1.0 billion

19 December 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The eighth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

16 April 2019

2.35%

RMB1.0 billion

19 April 2019

RMB1.0 billion

14 October 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The ninth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

16 April 2019

2.45%

RMB2.0 billion

19 April 2019

RMB2.0 billion

9 January 2020

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The tenth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

23 April 2019

2.30%

RMB1.0 billion

26 April 2019

RMB1.0 billion

 21 October 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The eleventh tranche of Ultra-short-term 

16 May 2019

3.10%

RMB0.5 billion

21 May 2019

RMB0.5 billion

13 February 2020

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The twelfth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

20 May 2019

2.40%

RMB1.0 billion

22 May 2019

RMB1.0 billion

18 July 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The thirteenth tranche of Ultra-short-

27 May 2019

2.30%

RMB0.5 billion

29 May 2019

RMB0.5 billion

25 July 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The fourteenth tranche of Ultra-short-

28 May 2019

2.55%

RMB0.5 billion

 30 May 2019

RMB0.5 billion

21 November 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The fifteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

6 June 2019

2.30%

RMB0.5 billion

11 June 2019

RMB0.5 billion

9 July 2019

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The sixteenth tranche of Ultra-short-

21 June 2019

2.85%

RMB1.0 billion

26 June 2019

RMB1.0 billion

19 December 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The seventeenth tranche of Ultra-short-

25 June 2019

2.50%

RMB0.5 billion

27 June 2019

RMB0.5 billion

22 August 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

82

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Type of securities and derivatives

Issuance date

interest rate

issued

Listing date

public trading

of transaction

The eighteenth tranche of Ultra-short-

11 July 2019

2.09%

RMB1.5 billion

16 July 2019

RMB1.5 billion

 13 August 2019

Issuance 

Amount  

approved for 

Ending date 

Amount  

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The nineteenth tranche of Ultra-short-

12 July 2019

2.45%

RMB0.5 billion

16 July 2019

RMB0.5 billion

10 October 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twentieth tranche of Ultra-short-

17 July 2019

2.60%

RMB0.5 billion

19 July 2019

RMB0.5 billion

19 December 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-first tranche of Ultra-short-

22 July 2019

2.18%

RMB1.5 billion

25 July 2019

RMB1.5 billion

19 September 2019

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-second tranche of Ultra-

23 July 2019

2.45%

RMB0.5 billion

 25 July 2019

RMB0.5 billion

17 October 2019

short-term Financing Bills of the 

Company in 2019

The twenty-third tranche of Ultra-short-

26 July 2019

2.65%

RMB1.0 billion

 30 July 2019

RMB1.0 billion

20 January 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-fourth tranche of Ultra-short-

21 August 2019

2.55%

RMB1.0 billion

23 August 2019

RMB1.0 billion

14 May 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-fifth tranche of Ultra-short-

27 August 2019

2.45%

RMB0.5 billion

29 August 2019

RMB0.5 billion

20 February 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-sixth tranche of Ultra-short-

28 August 2019

2.45%

RMB1.0 billion

30 August 2019

RMB1.0 billion

24 February 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The twenty-seventh tranche of Ultra-

18 September 2019

2.30%

RMB1.0 billion

20 September 2019

RMB1.0 billion

16 March 2020

short-term Financing Bills of the 

Company in 2019

The twenty-eighth tranche of Ultra-

23 September 2019

2.30%

RMB0.5 billion

25 September 2019

RMB0.5 billion

19 March 2020

short-term Financing Bills of the 

Company in 2019

The twenty-ninth tranche of Ultra-short-

23 September 2019

2.39%

RMB1.0 billion

26 September 2019

RMB1.0 billion

19 March 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The thirtieth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

23 September 2019

2.79%

RMB0.5 billion

26 September 2019

RMB0.5 billion

18 June 2020

Financing Bills of the Company in 

2019

The thirty-first tranche of Ultra-short-

14 October 2019

2.10%

RMB0.5 billion

17 October 2019

RMB0.5 billion

9 April 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in the Share Capital, Shareholders’ Profile and Disclosure of Interests

Type of securities and derivatives

Issuance date

interest rate

issued

Listing date

public trading

of transaction

The thirty-second tranche of Ultra-short-

16 October 2019

2.10%

RMB3.0 billion

21 October 2019

RMB3.0 billion

14 April 2020

Issuance 

Amount  

approved for 

Ending date 

Amount  

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The thirty-third tranche of Ultra-short-

20 November 2019

2.05%

RMB2.0 billion

22 November 2019

RMB2.0 billion

18 May 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The thirty-fourth tranche of Ultra-short-

13 December 2019

2.05%

RMB2.0 billion

17 December 2019

RMB2.0 billion

11 June 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The thirty-fifth tranche of Ultra-short-

17 December 2019

2.05%

RMB2.0 billion

19 December 2019

RMB2.0 billion

 11 June 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The thirty-sixth tranche of Ultra-short-

20 December 2019

2.05%

RMB1.0 billion

24 December 2019

RMB1.0 billion

18 June 2020

term Financing Bills of the Company 

in 2019

The first tranche of Medium-term Notes 

18 October 2019

3.20%

RMB1.0 billion

22 October 2019

RMB1.0 billion

20 October 2022

of the Company in 2019

The first tranche of Ultra-short-term 

15 April 2019

2.69%

RMB0.5 billion

17 April 2019

RMB0.5 billion

15 August 2019

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The second tranche of Ultra-short-term 

17 April 2019

2.85%

RMB0.6 billion

19 April 2019

RMB0.6 billion

11 September 2019

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The third tranche of Ultra-short-term 

19 April 2019

3.22%

RMB0.5 billion

23 April 2019

RMB0.5 billion

9 January 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The fourth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

26 April 2019

2.90%

RMB0.4 billion

30 April 2019

RMB0.4 billion

9 October 2019

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The fifth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

14 August 2019

2.68%

RMB0.5 billion

16 August 2019

RMB0.5 billion

4 February 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The sixth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

17 September 2019

2.60%

RMB0.4 billion

19 September 2019

RMB0.4 billion

13 February 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The seventh tranche of Ultra-short-term 

18 September 2019

2.50%

RMB0.3 billion

20 September 2019

RMB0.3 billion

12 March 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The eighth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

12 October 2019

2.40%

RMB0.3 billion

15 October 2019

RMB0.3 billion

8 April 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

84

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Type of securities and derivatives

Issuance date

interest rate

issued

Listing date

public trading

of transaction

The ninth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

29 October 2019

2.55%

RMB0.6 billion

31 October 2019

RMB0.6 billion

23 April 2020

Issuance 

Amount  

approved for 

Ending date 

Amount  

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

The tenth tranche of Ultra-short-term 

27 November 2019

2.55%

RMB0.4 billion

29 November 2019

RMB0.4 billion

21 May 2020

Financing Bills of Xiamen Airlines in 

2019

III.  Particulars of Shareholders

(I)  Number of Shareholders

As at the end of the reporting period, total number of ordinary shareholders of the Company was 198,765. As at 29 
February 2020, total number of ordinary shareholders of the Company was 236,001.

(II)  Particulars of Shareholdings

1.  Particulars of the top ten shareholders

Particulars of the top ten shareholders

Increase/ 
(decrease) during 
the reporting 
period

Total number of 
shares held at the 
end of reporting 
period

Shareholding 
percentage  
(%)

Number  
of shares 
subject 
to trading 
restrictions

Status of pledged  
or frozen shares

Status of shares

Number

Capacity of 
shareholders

Unit: Share

Name of the shareholder
(in full)

China Southern Air Holding Limited Company

0

4,528,431,323

36.92

489,202,658

Nil

0 Stated-owned legal 

HKSCC Nominees Limited
Nan Lung Holding Limited

(100,001)
0

1,750,829,907
1,634,575,925

14.27
13.32

0
600,925,925

Unknown
Nil

Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company 

93,752,991

577,186,227

Limited

China National Aviation Fuel Group 

Corporation

China Securities Finance Corporation Limited

American Airlines, Inc.
China Structural Reform Fund Co., Ltd.
Spring Airlines Co., Ltd.

0

0

0
0
0

498,338,870

320,484,156

270,606,272
242,524,916
140,531,561

Guo Xin Central Enterprise Operation 

(32,718,718)

88,543,740

4.71

4.06

2.61

2.21
1.98
1.15

0.72

0

0

0

0
0
0

0

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil
Nil
Nil

Nil

Investment Fund Management (Guangzhou) 
Co., Ltd. – Guo Xin Central Enterprise 
Operation (Guangzhou) Investment Fund 
(LLP)

entity

– Overseas legal entity
0 Stated-owned legal 

entity

0 Overseas legal entity

0 Stated-owned legal 

entity

0 Stated-owned legal 

entity

0 Overseas legal entity
0 Stated-owned legal 
0 Domestic non-stated-
owned legal entity
0 Domestic non-stated-
owned legal entity

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Changes in the Share Capital, Shareholders’ Profile and Disclosure of Interests

2.  Particulars of the top ten shareholders not subject to trading restrictions

Particulars of the top ten shareholders not subject to trading restrictions

Unit: Share

Name of Shareholder

China Southern Air Holding Limited Company
HKSCC Nominees Limited
Nan Lung Holding Limited
Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited
China National Aviation Fuel Group Corporation
China Securities Finance Corporation Limited
American Airlines, Inc.
China Structural Reform Fund Co., Ltd.
Spring Airlines Co., Ltd.
Guo Xin Central Enterprise Operation Investment Fund 

Management (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. – Guo Xin Central 
Enterprise Operation (Guangzhou) Investment Fund (LLP)

Explanation of the connected relationship or acting in 
concert relationship of the above shareholders

Number of 
tradable shares 
not subject to trading 
restrictions

4,039,228,665
1,750,829,907
1,033,650,000
577,186,227
498,338,870
320,484,156
270,606,272
242,524,916
140,531,561
88,543,740

Type and number of shares

Type of shares

RMB ordinary shares
Overseas listed foreign shares
Overseas listed foreign shares
RMB ordinary shares
RMB ordinary shares
RMB ordinary shares
Overseas listed foreign shares
RMB ordinary shares
RMB ordinary shares
RMB ordinary shares

Number

4,039,228,665
1,750,829,907
1,033,650,000
577,186,227
498,338,870
320,484,156
270,606,272
242,524,916
140,531,561
88,543,740

CSAH held aggregate 1,671,287,925 (including shares subject to trading restrictions) 
H shares of the Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong, 
namely Nan Lung and Perfect Lines (Hong Kong) Limited. The Company is not aware 
of any other connected relationship between other shareholders.

3.  Particulars of the top ten shareholders subject to trading restrictions and the conditions of trading 

restrictions

No Name of the shareholder

1

Nan Lung

Unit: Share

Number 
of shares 
held subject 
to trading 
restrictions

Listing status of shares 
which are subject to trading restrictions
Number of 
new listed 
shares

Conditions for  
trading restrictions

Eligible  
listing time

600,925,925 10 September 2021

600,925,925 Non-public Issuance 

of shares subject to 
commitments

2

China Southern Air Holding Limited Company

489,202,658 27 September 2021

489,202,658 Non-public Issuance 

of shares subject to 
trading restrictions

Explanation of the connected relationship or acting in 
concert relationship of the above shareholders

CSAH held aggregate 1,671,287,925 (including shares subject to trading restrictions) 
H shares of the Company through its wholly-owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong, namely 
Nan Lung and Perfect Lines (Hong Kong) Limited.

4.  Strategic investors or general legal entities becoming one of the top ten shareholder of the Company as 

a result of placing of new shares

Nil.

86

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IV. The Controlling Shareholders or De Facto Controllers

The chart below indicates the ownership and controlling relationship between the Company and de facto controllers:

SASAC

Guangdong
Hengjian

Guangzhou City
Construction
Investment Group

Shenzhen
Penghang

68.665%

10.445%

10.445%

10.445%

CSAH

36.92%

100%

Nan Lung

13.37%

100%

Perfect Lines
(Hong Kong) Limited

0.25%

China Southern Airlines

In July 2019, CSAH, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (“SASAC”), 
Guangdong Hengjian Investment Holding Co., Ltd, Guangzhou City Construction Investment Group and Shenzhen 
Penghang Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership) entered into the “Agreement about Capital Increase of 
China Southern Air Holding Limited Company” (the “Capital Increase Agreement”) so as to carry out equity diversification 
reform of CSAH. Pursuant to the Capital Increase Agreement, Guangdong Hengjian Investment Holding Co., Ltd, 
Guangzhou City Construction Investment Group and Shenzhen Penghang Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited 
Partnership) shall each make capital contribution in cash of RMB10 billion to the registered capital of CSAH (the “Capital 
Increase”). Upon completion of the Capital Increase, the status of CSAH as a state enterprise supervised by the SASAC 
remains unchanged and the status of CSAH as the Company’s controlling shareholder remains unchanged.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportChanges in the Share Capital, Shareholders’ Profile and Disclosure of Interests

V.  Disclosure of Interests

As at 31 December 2019, to the best knowledge of the Directors, chief executive and Supervisors of the Company, the 
following persons (other than the Directors, chief executive or Supervisors of the Company) had interests or short positions 
in the shares (the “Shares”) or underlying shares of the Company which are required to be recorded in the register of the 
Company required to be kept under section 336 of the SFO:

Name of shareholders

Capacity

Types of 
Shares

Number of 
Shares held

CSAH (note 1)

Beneficial owner
Interest of controlled 

A shares
H shares

6,981,865,780 (L)
2,284,646,539 (L)

corporations

Nan Lung (note 1)

Beneficial owner
Interest of controlled 

corporations

Subtotal

9,266,512,319 (L)

H shares

2,284,646,539 (L)

American Airlines Group Inc. 

Interest in controlled 

H shares

270,606,272 (L)

(note 2)

corporations

% of 
the total 
issued 
share 
capital 
of the 
Company 
(Note 3)

56.92%
18.62%

% of 
the total 
issued A 
Shares 
(Note 3)

81.18%
/

% of 
the total 
issued H 
Shares 
(Note 3)

/
62.31%

/

/

/

/

75.54%

62.31%

18.62%

7.38%

2.21%

Qatar Airways Group 

Q.C.S.C.

Beneficial owner
Beneficial owner

A shares
H shares

430,036,166 (L)
183,324,000 (L)

5.00%
/

/
5.00%

3.51%
1.49%

Subtotal

613,360,166 (L)

/

/

5.00%

Note:

1. 

2. 

3. 

CSAH directly held 4,528,431,323 A Shares. In addition, CSAH was deemed to be interested in 2,453,434,457 A Shares through 
the A Shares Subscription Agreement entered into between CSAH and the Company dated 30 October 2019.

CSAH was deemed to be interested in an aggregate of 1,671,287,925 H Shares through its direct and indirect wholly-owned 
subsidiaries in Hong Kong, of which 31,150,000 H Shares were directly held by Perfect Lines (Hong Kong) Limited (representing 
approximately 0.85% of its then total issued H Shares) and 1,640,137,925 H Shares were directly held by Nan Lung (representing 
approximately 44.73% of its then total issued H Shares). As Perfect Lines (Hong Kong) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 
Nan Lung, Nan Lung was also deemed to be interested in the 31,150,000 H Shares held by Perfect Lines (Hong Kong) Limited. 
In addition, Nan Lung was deemed to be interested in 613,358,614 H Shares through the H Shares Subscription Agreement 
entered into between Nan Lung and the Company dated 30 October 2019, therefore CSAH was also deemed to be interested in 
such 613,358,614 H Shares.

American Airlines Group Inc. was deemed to be interested in 270,606,272 H Shares by virtue of its 100% control over American 
Airlines.

The percentage was calculated according to the relevant total issued A Shares, total issued H Shares and the total issued share 
capital of the Company as at 31 December 2019.

Save as disclosed above, as at 31 December 2019, so far as was known to the Directors, chief executive and Supervisors 
of the Company, no other person (other than the Directors, chief executive or Supervisors of the Company) had an interest 
or a short position in the shares or underlying shares of the Company recorded in the register of the Company required to 
be kept under section 336 of the SFO.

88

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT  
AND EMPLOYEES

I.  Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management

(I)  Changes in the Number of Share held by Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management and 

their Remuneration

As at the end of the reporting period, the Directors, Supervisors and senior management of the Company were as follows:

Name
Wang Chang Shun

Ma Xu Lun

*Zhang Zi Fang

Han Wen Sheng

Zheng Fan
Gu Hui Zhong
Tan Jin Song
Jiao Shu Ge
*Pan Fu

Li Jia Shi

Lin Xiao Chun
Mao Juan
Xiao Li Xin

Zhang Zheng Rong
Luo Lai Jun
Ren Ji Dong
Cheng Yong
Wang Zhi Xue
Li Tong Bin

Su Liang
Chen Wei Hua
Li Shao Bin
Xie Bing
Feng Hua Nan
Guo Jian Ye
Luo Ming Hao
* Wang Ren Jie
Total

Position (note)
Chairman
Executive Director
Vice Chairman
President
Executive Director
Executive Director
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Independent Non-executive Director
Chairman of Supervisory Committee
Supervisor
Chairman of Supervisory Committee
Supervisor
Supervisor
Supervisor
Executive Vice President
Chief Accountant
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Chief Engineer
Executive Vice President
Chief Economist
Chief Legal Adviser
Chief Training Officer
Secretary to the Board
COO Flight Safety
Chief Customer Officer
Chief Pilot
Chief Operation Officer
/

Gender
Male

Age
62

Male

Male

Male

Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Male

Male
Female
Male

Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
/

55

61

53

64
63
55
54
57

58

48
47
53

57
48
55
57
59
58

57
53
55
46
57
57
57
55
/

Appointment date for 
the term of office
27 May 2016
27 May 2016
8 May 2019
8 May 2019
18 March 2019
30 June 2009
27 December 2007
22 November 2017
8 May 2019
20 December 2017
20 December 2017
26 December 2013
30 June 2015
29 December 2010

Expiry date for the 
term of office
up to date

up to date

8 May 2019
16 January 2019
16 January 2019
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
8 May 2019

8 May 2019
30 June 2009
8 May 2019
20 December 2017
22 November 2017
27 March 2015
27 March 2015
10 August 2018
18 March 2019
7 May 2009
21 August 2018
3 August 2012
30 April 2014
14 September 2015
27 December 2007
16 June 2004
21 June 2019
26 November 2007
15 August 2014
4 January 2017
28 March 2018
15 November 2018
/

up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date

up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date

up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
up to date
25 October 2019
/

Number of 
shares held 
as at the 
beginning 
of the year 
(shares)
0

Number of 
shares held 
as at the end 
of the year 
(shares)
0

Increase or 
decrease of 
shares during 
the year 
(shares)
0

The total 
remuneration 
before tax 
received from 
the Company 
during the 
reporting period 
(RMB0’000)
0

Had received 
remuneration 
from related 
party of the 
Company
Yes

0

0

0

0
0
0
0
0

0

0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0

0

0

0
0
0
0
0

0

0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0

0

0

0
0
0
0
0

0

0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0

0

0

6
6
15
15
0

Yes

Yes

Yes

No
No
No
No
Yes

0

Yes

45.65
84.07
0

0
0
115.08
195.53
45.59
113.18

95.97
95.76
44.67
95.08
184.18
96.04
179.89
168.11
1,600.80

No
No
Yes

Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
/

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Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

Notes:

1.  According to proposals relating to performance appraisals, partial remuneration of some Directors, Supervisors and senior 

management of the Company shall be delayed as subject to evaluation result, total remuneration set out above includes such delay 
remuneration obtained during the reporting period;

2.  Mr. Cheng Yong, Mr. Feng Hua Nan, Mr. Luo Ming Hao and Mr. Wang Ren Jie also serve as pilots, so their remunerations are 

inclusive of crew allowance; Mr. Wang Zhi Xue’s remuneration was paid by Xiamen Airlines since March 2019; Mr. Zheng Fan and 
Mr. Gu Hui Zhong receive remuneration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the PRC;

3.  *represents personnel who have already resigned as at the end of the reporting period.

As at 31 December 2019, none of the Directors, Chief Executive or Supervisors of the Company had interests or short 
positions in the shares, underlying shares and/or debentures (as the case may be) of the Company or any of its associated 
corporations (within the meaning of Part XV of the SFO) which were required to be notified to the Company and the Stock 
Exchange pursuant to the SFO (including interests or short positions which are taken or deemed to have under such 
provisions of the SFO), or which were required to be recorded in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to 
Section 352 of the SFO, or which were required to be notified to the Company and the Stock Exchange pursuant to the 
Model Code as set out in Appendix 10 to the Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange.

(II)  Changes in Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management of the Company

During the reporting period, changes in the Directors, supervisors and senior management of the Company were as 
follows:

Name

Position

Change

Reason of change

Ma Xu Lun
Ma Xu Lun
Han Wen Sheng
Luo Lai Jun
Zhang Zi Fang
Li Jia Shi

Lin Xiao Chun
Pan Fu

Li Shao Bin
Wang Ren Jie

Vice Chairman and President
Executive Director
Executive Director
Executive Vice President
Executive Director
Chairman of Supervisory 
Committee
Supervisor
Chairman of Supervisory 
Committee and Supervisor
Chief Training Officer
Chief Operation Officer

Appointed
Appointed
Appointed
Appointed
Resigned
Appointed

Appointed by the Board
Appointed by the General Meeting
Appointed by the General Meeting
Appointed by the Board
Retired
Appointed by the Supervisory Committee

Appointed
Resigned

Appointed by the General Meeting
Job Changes

Appointed
Resigned

Appointed by the Board
Job Changes

(III)  Changes of Information of Directors or Supervisors under Rule 13.51B(1) of the Listing Rules 

of the Stock Exchange

Below are the information relating to the changes of Directors or Supervisors required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 
13.51B(1) of the Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange since the date of 2019 interim report:

1.  Mr. Tan Jing Song served as Independent Director of Midea Real Estate Holding Limited.

2.  Mr. Jiao Shu Ge served as Director of Mabpharm Limited and Rotary Vortex Ltd, and ceased to act as Director of 
Shanghai Maitai Jun’Ao Biological Technology Co., Ltd and Taizhou Mabtech Biological Technology Co., Ltd.

3.  Mr. Xiao Li Xin served as Chairman of China Southern Airlines Group Finance Company Limited, and ceased to act 

as Chairman of Shantou Airlines Company Limited and Guizhou Airlines Company Limited, and the Director of Xiamen 
Airlines Company Limited.

4.  Mr. Zhang Zheng Rong served as Chairman of Guizhou Airlines Company Limited.

90

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  Mr. Luo Lai Jun served as Chairman of China Southern Airlines Henan Airlines Company Limited and Shantou Airlines 

Company Limited.

6.  Mr. Feng Hua Nan ceased to act as Chairman of Zhuhai Xiang Yi Aviation Technology Company Limited.

Save as disclosed above, there is no other information required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 13.51B(1) of the Listing 
Rules of the Stock Exchange.

(IV)  Changes in the Number of Share held by Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management and 

their Remuneration

The Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management of the Company received remuneration annually. Remuneration of 
Directors and Supervisors are adjusted and paid pursuant to Administrative Measures on Remuneration of Directors of 
China Southern Airlines Company Limited and Administrative Measures on Remuneration of Supervisors of China Southern 
Airlines Company Limited approved at the general meeting. Remuneration of Senior Management are adjusted and paid 
pursuant to Administrative Measures on Remuneration of Senior Management of China Southern Airlines Company Limited 
after approval of the Board.

During the reporting period, the total remuneration before tax received from the Company by Directors, Supervisors and 
senior management amounted to RMB16,008,000 (2018: RMB17,374,600).

The emolument policy of the Directors and senior management of the Company are recommended by the Remuneration 
and Assessment Committee to the Board, having regard to the Group’s operating results, individual performance and 
comparable market statistics in accordance with the above-mentioned Administrative Measures on Remuneration of 
Directors and Administrative Measures on Remuneration of Senior Management of the Group.

Details of the remuneration of the Directors, Supervisors and senior management of the Group are set out in notes 52 and 
61 to the financial statements prepared under IFRSs.

Details of other employees’ pension scheme and housing benefits are set out in notes 47 and 53 to the financial 
statements prepared under IFRSs.

Remuneration Band
RMB

0-500,000
500,001-1,000,000
1,000,001-1,500,000
1,500,001-2,000,000

Total

Number of Senior Management

2019

2018

6
4
2
3

15

1
5
2
5

13

(V)  Service Contracts of the Directors and Supervisors

None of the Directors or Supervisors has entered or proposed to enter into any service contracts with the Company 
or its subsidiaries which are not determinable by the Company or its subsidiaries within one year without payment of 
compensation, other than statutory compensation.

During the year ended 31 December 2019, none of the Directors or Supervisors has any material interests in any 
significant contract to which the Company or its subsidiaries was a party.

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Directors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

(VI)  Profiles of Current Directors, Supervisors and Senior Management

Directors

Wang Chang Shun, male, born in July 1957 (aged 62), graduated from University of Science and Technology of China 
majoring in management science and engineering and he has a Ph.D. degree. He is a Doctor of Management and senior 
expert of political science. He began his career in February 1976. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in March 
1982. He has acted as Vice Director and Director of aeronautical meteorology supervision department of CAAC Urumqi 
Administration, Vice President and a member of standing committee of Xinjiang Airlines (Vice Chairman of CAAC Urumqi 
Administration) and then as Party Secretary and Vice President of Xinjiang Airlines (Vice Chairman of CAAC Urumqi 
Administration). In November 2000, he acted as Vice Chairman, General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of the 
Company. In September 2002, he acted as Vice President and Party member of CSAH and also as Vice Chairman, 
General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of the Company. In August 2004, he served as Deputy Director and Party 
member of Civil Aviation Administration of China. In March 2008, he acted as Deputy Director and Party member of Civil 
Aviation Administration of China (Deputy ministerial). In October 2011, he was appointed as General Manager and Deputy 
Party Secretary of China National Aviation Holding Company and also was appointed as the Chairman of Air China Limited. 
He was appointed as Vice Minister and Party Leadership Group Member of Ministry of Transport in January 2014, General 
Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of China National Aviation Holding Company in February 2016, General Manager and 
Deputy Party Secretary of CSAH and Chairman of the Company in May 2016. In December 2016, he has been Chairman, 
Party Secretary of CSAH and Chairman of the Company. Since November 2017, he has been Chairman, Party Secretary 
of CSAH and Chairman, Party Secretary of the Company. He is also a deputy to the 12th National People’s Congress. He 
is the representative of the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, a member of the 12th CPC Guangdong 
Provincial Committee and standing committee member and member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese 
People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Ma Xu Lun, male, born in July 1964 (aged 55). He graduated from the School of Mechanical Science & Engineering of 
HUST, majoring in industrial engineering. He has a master degree of engineering and is a certified public accountant. He 
started his career in August 1984, and joined in the Chinese Communist Party in October 1990. He has been the deputy 
general manager of China Commodities Storing and Transportation Corporation, deputy director general of the Finance 
Department of the CAAC, vice president and Standing Member of Party Committee of Air China Corporation Limited. He 
was appointed as vice president of general affairs and deputy party secretary of Air China Corporation Limited in October 
2002; and served as the director, president and deputy party secretary of Air China Corporation Limited in September 
2004. He served as a party member of China National Aviation Holding Company and director, president and deputy 
party secretary of Air China Corporation Limited in December 2004, and deputy general manager and party member of 
China National Aviation Holding Company from February 2007. In December 2008, he was appointed as deputy party 
secretary of China Eastern Air Holding Company and general manager and deputy party secretary of China Eastern 
Airlines Corporation Limited. He served as secretary to the Party Committee and deputy general manager of China Eastern 
Air Holding Company and general manager of China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited in October 2011. In November 
2016, he served as the director, general manager and deputy party secretary of China Eastern Air Holding Company, and 
vice Chairman, general manager and deputy party secretary of China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited in December 
2016. In February 2019, he acted as the general manager and deputy party secretary of China Southern Air Holding 
Limited Company. In March 2019, he acted as the general manager of the Company and vice president of the Company 
in May 2019.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceHan Wen Sheng, male, born in January 1967 (aged 53), graduated from Management Department of Tianjin University, 
majoring in engineering management, with qualification of a Master’s degree. He obtained a Master’s Degree of Science 
and was a economist. He began his career in August 1987, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in May 1985. He 
served as Deputy Director General of Cadre Training Center of the Company, Director of The Research Bureau of the 
Company, general manager of Labour Department and Secretary of CPC General Committee of the Company, Deputy 
Director General and a member of Party Committee of the Commercial Steering Committee and general manager as well 
as Deputy Party Secretary of the sales and marketing department of the Company, general manager and Deputy Party 
Secretary of Shanghai base. He acted as Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy Director General of the Commercial Steering 
Committee of the Company since December 2009 and Party Secretary and Deputy Director General of the Commercial 
Steering Committee of the Company since October 2011. He served as vice president and party member of China 
Southern Air Holding Company from October 2016. From November 2017, he served as vice president and party member 
of China Southern Air Holding Limited Company, the vice president and Party member of the Company. He was appointed 
as director and Deputy Party Secretary of China Southern Air Holding Limited Company, Vice president of the Company 
in November 2018. From January 2019, he served as director and Deputy Party Secretary of China Southern Air Holding 
Limited Company. Currently, he also served as Vice Chairman of Sichuan Airlines Corporation, director of China Travel Sky 
Holding Company and Vice Director General of China Air Transport Association.

Zheng Fan, male, born in November 1955 (aged 64), graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Normal University 
majoring in School Education and is a senior expert of political science. Mr. Zheng is a CPC member and began his career 
in 1974. He served as a teacher of Faculty of Education at Beijing Normal University from February 1982. He worked as 
a cadre at public relationship department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and was a deputy Director 
level investigator from January 1986, deputy Director-general (temporary post) of public relationship department of CBRC 
Shenzhen Municipality Luohu District Committee and deputy Director general (temporary post) of public relationship 
department of Shenzhen Committee of Communist Party of China from March 1988, deputy Director of public relationship 
department of CBRC Shenzhen Municipality Futian District Committee and office Director of working committee under 
the CBRC Shenzhen Municipality Committee from March 1991. Since August 1994, he has been appointed as general 
manager of general administration office of Overseas Chinese Town Economic Development Company, general manager’s 
assistant of OCT Group and managing Director of Overseas Chinese Town (HK) Company Limited since December 1997, 
deputy secretary of the Party Committee, secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission and Chief Cultural Officer of 
Overseas Chinese Group Company since August 2000, secretary of the Party Committee and vice-president of Overseas 
Chinese Group Company since March 2008, secretary of the Party Committee and vice-chairman of Overseas Chinese 
Town Company Limited since January 2010. He acted as Council Member of China Overseas Exchange Association, 
Director of relation of the Two Shores Across the Strait Association, vice president of Guangdong’s Association For 
Promotion of Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau and vice-chairman of Guangdong Province 
Association of Entrepreneurs. He was also a Congressman of the 4th term and 5th term of the People’s Congress for 
Shenzhen Municipality and a member of the 11th session of Guangdong Provincial Committee of Political Consultative 
Conference. Mr. Zheng has been an independent Director of the company since 20 December 2017.

Gu Hui Zhong, male, born in November 1956 (aged 63), graduated with a master degree from Zhengzhou Aviation 
Iudustry Institute and Beihang University majoring in International Finance and is a senior accountant of professor level. 
Mr. Gu is a CPC member and began his career in 1974. He served as deputy chief and chief of the General Office of 
Financial Division of Aviation Industry Department, Director of International Affairs Financial Division of Aviation Industry 
Corporation of China, general manager of Zhongzhen Accounting Consultative Corporation, vice Director general of 
Financial Department of Aviation Industry Corporation of China and deputy Director-general of Financial Department of 
State Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence. From June 1999 to February 2005, he 
acted as a member of the Communist Party and vice president of Aviation Industry Corporation of China I. From February 
2005 to August 2008, he acted as a member of Party Leadership Group, vice president and chief accountant of Aviation 
Industry Corporation of China I. From August 2008 to January 2017, he acted as a member of Party Leadership Group, 
vice president and chief accountant of Aviation Industry Corporation of China. He previously served as chairman of AVIC 
I International Leasing Co., Ltd., chairman of AVIC I Financial Co., Ltd., chairman of CATIC International Holdings Limited, 
chairman of AVIC Capital Co., Ltd and chairman of AVIC International Vanke Company Limited. He is currently served as 
a supervisor of the Bank of Communications and vice chairman of the Accounting Society of China. Since 20 December 
2017, Mr. Gu has been an independent Director of the Company.

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Tan Jin Song, male, born in January 1965 (aged 55), graduated from Renmin University of China with an on-job doctor 
degree in Accounting. Mr. Tan is a Chinese Certified Public Accountant and a CPC member. Mr. Tan began his career 
in 1985 and was a teacher in Shaoyang School of Finance and Accounting of Hunan Province and the Deputy Dean 
of the School of Management of Sun Yat-sen University. Mr. Tan is currently a professor and a doctorate-tutor of the 
School of Management of Sun Yat-sen University. He is also a member of the MPAcc Education Instruction Committee, 
a member of China Institute of Internal Audit, Vice President of Guangdong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a 
council member of China Audit Society. Currently, Mr. Tan also serves as the independent Director of COSCO SHIPPING 
Specialized Carriers Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Limited, Shanghai RAAS Blood Products Co., 
Ltd. and Zhuhai Huafa Industrial Company Limited. Mr. Tan has been an independent Director of the Company since 26 
December 2013.

Jiao Shu Ge, male, born in February1966 (aged 54), with a master degree, first graduated from the Control Theory 
Faculty of the Department of Mathematics of Shandong University with a bachelor degree, and then graduated from the 
Systems Engineering Faculty of No. 2 Research Institute of the Ministry of Aerospace Industry with a Master’s degree in 
Engineering. Mr. Jiao has extensive experience in funds management and equity investment. Currently, Mr. Jiao is the 
Director and President of CDH China Management Company Limited (“CDH Investments”) and is the founder of CDH 
Investments. He was a computer researcher of 710 Research Institute of the former Ministry of Aerospace Industry of 
China, the Deputy General Manager of Direct Investment Department of China International Capital Corporation Ltd. 
(“CICC”). Mr. Jiao was the non-executive Director of China Yurun Food Group Limited and China Shanshui Cement Group 
Limited. He is also the President of Fujian Nanping Nanfu Battery Company Limited, Inner Mongolia Hetao Spirit Group 
Company Limited, Shanghai Maitai Jun’Ao Biological Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai Hightech Pharmaceutical Company 
Limited, Wuhu Zhengding Investment Management Co., Ltd. and other companies; He acted as a director of a number 
of companies including WH Group Limited, Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co.,Ltd., Joyoung Co., Ltd. and 
Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.; and also acted as an independent director of China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited and 
associated companies of CDH Investments. Mr. Jiao has been an independent Director of the Company since 30 June 
2015.

Supervisors

Li Jia Shi, male, born in May 1961 (aged 58), graduated from Party School of the CPC majoring in Economic 
Administration and has a bachelor degree. He has an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from 
Tsinghua University and is an expert of political science. Mr. Li began his career in August 1976 and joined the Chinese 
Communist Party in June 1986. In February 1998, he served as the party secretary of Guangzhou Nanland Air Catering 
Company Limited and the Deputy Head (work as chair) of the Organization Division of the Party Committee of the China 
Southern Airlines (Group) Company in April 1999. Mr. Li served as the head of the Organization Division of the Party 
Committee of CSAH in December 1999; and served as the Deputy Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee and the 
Director of the Disciplinary Committee Office of the Company in December 2003. Mr. Li served as the Secretary of the 
Disciplinary Committee, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC and the Director of the Disciplinary Committee 
Office of the Company in December 2007. Mr. Li has been the supervisor of the Company since June 2009. He has been 
the team deputy leader of the Discipline Inspection Commission of CSAH, and member of Secretary of the Disciplinary 
Committee, the Director of the Disciplinary Committee Office in February 2012, and the Standing Member of Party 
Committee of China Southern Airlines Company Limited in November 2017. He has acted as the Labour Union chairman 
and the Standing Member of Party Committee of China Southern Airlines Company Limited in November 2017. He acted 
as the Chairman of the Labour Union of CSAH and the Chairman of the Labour Union and Standing Member of Party 
Committee of the Company from January 2018. He has served as the Chairman of the Labour Union of CSAH and the 
Chairman of the Labour Union of the Company since July 2018. 

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceLin Xiao Chun, male, born in May 1971 (aged 48), graduated from Peking University Law School with a bachelor degree 
of laws, majoring in international law. He obtained his MBA from Beijing University of Technology and City University of 
the United States, EMBA from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management. He obtained qualifications for 
Enterprise Legal Adviser and corporation lawyer. He started his career in July 1995, and joined the Chinese Communist 
Party in June 1995. He served as the deputy director of the legal department of the Company in October 2006, deputy 
general manager of the legal department of the Company in January 2009, deputy director of the legal department of 
China Southern Air Holding Company and deputy general manager of the legal department of the Company in December 
2009, director of the legal department of China Southern Air Holding Company in May 2013, general manager of the 
laws & standards Division of China Southern Air Holding Limited Company and general manager of the laws & standards 
Division of the Company in April 2017.

Mao Juan, female, born in December 1972 (aged 47), obtained a bachelor degree in Accounting from Harbin University 
of Science and Technology. Ms. Mao began her career in July 1993, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in April 
1992. She served as Deputy General Manager of Hainan Branch Comprehensive Trading Company, Deputy Manager of 
Finance Department in Hainan Branch of the Company and Manager of Audit and System Office of Finance Department in 
the Company. From August 2011, she acted as Deputy General Manager of Audit Department in the Company and acted 
as General Manager of Audit Department in the Company since June 2016. She has been the deputy general manager of 
Audit Department in the CSAH and the Company from April 2017. She has served as the General Manager of CSAH and 
the Company’s Audit Department since November 2017. She served as the supervisor of the Company, general manager 
of Audit Department of CSAH and the Company since December 2017. Currently, she is the Chairman of the Supervisory 
Committee of Southern Airlines Group Finance Company Limited and Nan Lung International Freight Limited, as well as 
the supervisor of Xiamen Airlines Company Limited.

Senior Management

Xiao Li Xin, male, born in June 1966 (aged 53), graduated from Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences with a master 
degree in Economics and then obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua 
University. He is a qualified senior accountant and a certified public accountant. Mr. Xiao began his career in July 1991, 
and joined the Chinese Communist Party in February 1998. He served as the Deputy General Manager of the Finance 
Department of the Company from March 2001. He served as the General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the General 
Party Branch of the Finance Department of the Company from January 2002. Mr. Xiao served as the deputy chief 
accountant and general manager of the Finance Department of the Company from February 2007, and served as the 
General Manager and Secretary of the General Party Branch of Southern Airlines Group Finance Company Limited from 
October 2007. He served as the General Manager and Party Secretary of Southern Airlines Group Finance Company 
Limited from February 2008. Mr. Xiao has been the Chief Accountant and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 
March 2015. From October 2016, he has served as Chief Accountant and Party member of China Southern Air Holding 
Limited Company (CSAH) and Chief Accountant and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. From November 2017, he 
served as Chief Accountant and Party member of CSAH and Executive Vice President, Chief Accountant, Chief Financial 
Officer and a member of the Party Committee of the Company. For now, he also serves as Chairman of Guizhou Airlines 
Company Limited, Chairman of Shantou Airlines Company Limited, Director of Xiamen Airlines Company Limited as well as 
Director of China Southern Airlines Overseas (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd.

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Zhang Zheng Rong, male, born in September 1962 (aged 57), has a college degree from Civil Aviation Flight University 
of China majoring in Aircraft Piloting. He was graduated from Party School of the Central Committee of CPC majoring in 
economic management with a bachelor degree. He also obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) 
degree from Tsinghua University. He began his career in February 1982, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in April 
1988. He served as Vice Captain of Third Flight Corps of Civil Aviation Administration, Vice Captain of Fourth Flight Corps 
and Captain of First Flight Corps of CSAH. From May 2002, he has been the Deputy General Manager of Civil Aviation 
Administration of the Company and Captain of First Flight Corps of the Company. From November 2002, he has been 
General Manager of Department of Security Supervision of the Company, as well as General Manager and Deputy Party 
Secretary of Guangzhou Flight Division of the Company in May 2004. In August 2007, he was appointed as Chief Pilot 
of the Company and General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Guangzhou Flight Division of the Company. From 
March 2009, he has been Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation Security Department of the Company. Since April 2012, he 
served as the Chief Pilot, COO Flight Safety and Director of Aviation Security Department of the Company and in July 
2012, he served as the Chief Pilot and Aviation Security Minister of CSAH. Since April 2014, he has acted as Chief Pilot, 
COO Flight Safety and Director of Aviation Security Department of CSAH. Since December 2016, he has been Chief Pilot 
of CSAH. He has served as Chief Pilot of CSAH and Chief Operation Officer of the Company since January 2017. Since 
November 2017, he has been the General Manager Assistant of CSAH and Chief Operation Officer of the Company. 
From June 2018, he has been the Vice President, Party Member of CSAH and Chief Operation Officer of the Company. 
In August 2018, he served as the Deputy general manager, Party Member of CSAH and the Deputy general manager, 
Chief Operation Officer of the Company. Since November 2018, he acted as the Deputy General Manager, Party Member 
and the Deputy general manager of the Company. Currently, he also serves as the chairman of Guizhou Airlines Company 
Limited.

Luo Lai Jun, male, born in October 1971 (aged 48), graduated from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 
majoring in Accounting and also obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua 
University. He began his career in July 1993 and joined the Communist Party of China in September 1992. He served 
as the Manager of Finance Department in Shanghai Branch of the Company, Deputy Director of the Purchasing Office in 
Finance Department of the Company, Deputy Manager and Manager of Finance Department of Guizhou Airlines Company 
Limited. He has acted as a member of the party committee, Chief Financial Officer and manager of Finance Department 
of Guizhou Airlines Company Limited in June 2003; Director of Business Assessment Office of the Company in June 
2005; Deputy Director of Commercial Steering Committee and General Manager and Party member of Financing Plan 
Department of the Company in November 2005; General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Freight Department of 
the Company in February 2009; the General Manager and the Deputy Party Secretary of Dalian Branch of the Company in 
July 2012; Executive Deputy Director and the Deputy Party Secretary of Commercial Steering Committee of the Company 
in November 2016; Director and the Deputy Party Secretary of Commercial Steering Committee of the Company in August 
2017; Executive Vice President and the Party member of China Southern Air Holding Limited Company and Executive Vice 
President of the Company in March 2019. Currently, he also serves as the chairman of China Southern Airlines Henan 
Airlines Company Limited and Shantou Airlines Company Limited. 

Ren Ji Dong, male, born in January 1965 (aged 55), Bachelor of Engineering, graduated from Power Engineering 
Department of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in Aircraft Engine 
Design and obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua University, and he is 
a senior engineer. Mr. Ren began his career in August 1986 and joined the Chinese Communist Party in June 1986. He 
served as the Deputy Director (deputy general manager) and a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of Urumqi 
Civil Aviation Administration (Xinjiang Airlines) and the Deputy General Manager and a member of the Standing Committee 
of the CPC of Xinjiang Airlines. He acted as the Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of CSAH Xinjiang Company 
from June 2004, the Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of Xinjiang Branch of the Company from January 2005, 
a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of the Company from February 2005, Deputy General Manager and a 
member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of the Company from March 2005, a member of the Standing Committee 
of the CPC of the Company and the General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Xinjiang Branch from January 2007, 
a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of the Company from April 2009, Deputy General Manager and a 
member of the Standing Committee of the CPC of the Company from May 2009 and the Executive Vice President of the 
Company from July 2018.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceCheng Yong, male, born in April 1962 (aged 57), graduated from Civil Aviation Flight College of China (中國民用航空飛行
專科學校) majoring in Aircraft Piloting and Civil Aviation Flight University of China majoring in Wingmanship, with a bachelor 
degree. He obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua University and is a 
command pilot. He began his career in January 1982, and join the Chinese Communist Party in August 1984. He has 
been the Deputy Head of Shenyang Chief Flight Corps Team of China Northern Airlines Company (中國北方航空公司瀋陽
飛行總隊), vice president of China Northern Airlines Company Tian’e LLC (中國北方航空公司天鵝航空有限責任公司) and 
president of China Northern Airlines Company Sanya Co., Ltd. (中國北方航空公司三亞有限公司). He served as the General 
Manager of CSAHC Northern Division in November 2004; president and deputy party secretary of Northern Branch of 
the Company in January 2005; deputy leader of steering group for reoganization of Liaoning Airport Management Group 
Company in January 2009; president and deputy party secretary of Beijing Branch of the Company in April 2009; a 
member of the Standing Member of Party Committee of the Company and General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary 
of Beijing Branch of the Company from April 2010; a Standing Member of Party Committee of the Company in July 2017; 
and Executive Vice President of the Company in August 2018. 

Wang Zhi Xue, male, born in January 1961 (aged 59), has a college degree from Civil Aviation Flight University of China 
majoring in Aircraft Piloting, and obtained a degree from Civil Aviation Flight University of China majoring in Wingmanship, 
and is a command pilot. Mr. Wang began his career in February 1981, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in 
December 1980. Mr. Wang successively served as the Deputy Chief Pilot and Director of the Flight Safety Technology 
Department of Shantou Airlines Company Limited of CSAH, Deputy Chief Pilot and Manager of the Flight Safety 
Technology Division of Shantou Airlines Company Limited of CSAH. He also acted as the Deputy General Manager of 
Shantou Airlines Company Limited of CSAH from June 2002, and the General Manager of the Flight Management Division 
of the Company from October 2004, and the General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Guangzhou Flight Division 
of the Company from February 2009. Mr. Wang has been Chief Pilot and a member of the Standing Committee of the 
CPC of the Company from July 2012, and Executive Vice President, chief pilot and a member of the Standing Committee 
of the CPC of the Company from August 2012. He has been Executive Vice President and a member of the Standing 
Committee of the CPC of the Company from December 2016. He has been Executive Vice President of the Company 
from July 2018, and was appointed as legal representative, vice chairman, general manager and Deputy Secretary of CPC 
of Xiamen Airlines Company Limited in February 2019. For now, he also serves as Chairman of Zhuhai Airlines Company 
Limited.

Li Tong Bin, male, born in December 1961 (aged 58), graduated with a bachelor degree from Northeastern University 
majoring in industrial Electric Automation, and Business Administration (MBA) from School of Economics and Management 
of Hainan University. He obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Degree form Tsinghua University, 
and is a senior engineer. Mr. Li began his career in August 1983, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in May 1983. 
He successively served as the Director of Aircraft Engineering Department and the Director of aircraft maintenance base 
of China Northern Airlines Company, the General Manager of Jilin branch of China Northern Airlines Company. He also 
acted as the Deputy General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Zhuhai Airlines Company Limited from September 
2004, the General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Zhuhai Airlines Company Limited from January 2005, and the 
party secretary and Deputy General Manager of Northern Branch of the Company from April 2012. Mr. Li was the Chief 
Engineer, General Manager of Aircraft Engineering Department and Deputy Party Secretary of the Company from April 
2014. He has been the Chief Engineer, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC, General Manager of Aircraft 
Engineering Department and Deputy Party Secretary of the Company from August 2015. Mr. Li has been the Executive 
Vice President, Chief Engineer, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC, as well as General Manager of Aircraft 
Engineering Department and Deputy Party Secretary of the Company since September 2015. From December 2016, he 
has been Executive Vice President, Chief Engineer and a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC. In July 2018, 
he was appointed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Engineer of the Company. For now, Mr. Li also serves as 
Chairman of Shenyang Northern Aircraft Maintenance Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co., Ltd and 
MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co., Ltd..

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Su Liang, male, born in April 1962 (aged 57), graduated from the University of Cranfield, United Kingdom with a master 
degree majoring in Air Transport Management, and is an engineer. Mr. Su began his career in December 1981, and joined 
the Chinese Communist Party in May 1996. He successively served as Deputy General Manager of the Flight Operations 
Division, Deputy General Manager and Manager of Planning and Management Division of CSAH Shenzhen Company. Mr. 
Su was the Secretary to the Board from July 2000, the Secretary to the Board and Director of Board Secretariat of the 
Company from December 2003, the Secretary to the Board, Deputy Director and Party member of Commercial Steering 
Committee of the Company from November 2005, the Company Secretary and Director of Company Secretary Office and 
Deputy Director and Party member of Commercial Steering Committee of the Company from February 2006. Mr. Su has 
been the Chief Economist of the Company since December 2007. For now, he also serves as Director of Sichuan Airlines 
Company Limited, Chairman of Southern Airlines Culture and Media Co., Ltd. and China Southern West Australian Flying 
College Pty Ltd..

Chen Wei Hua, male, born in October 1966 (aged 53), graduated from the School of Law of Peking University with a 
bachelor degree and obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua University, 
who is an economist, a qualified lawyer in the PRC and a qualified corporate legal counselor. Mr. Chen joined the aviation 
industry in July 1988, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in February 2001. He successively served as Deputy 
Director of Legal Department of China Southern Airlines (Group) Corporation, Deputy Director of the Office (Director of the 
Legal Division) of the Company and China Southern Airlines (Group) Corporation. Mr. Chen was the Chief Legal Adviser 
of the Company and Director of the Legal Division of the Company from June 2006. Mr. Chen has been the Chief Legal 
Adviser and General Manager of the Legal Division of the Company since October 2008. He has served as Chief Legal 
Adviser of the Company since April 2017. For now, he also acts as Director of Xiamen Airlines Company Limited.

Li Shao Bin, male, born in April 1964 (aged 55), graduated with a college degree from Chinese Language and Literature 
of Xiangtan Teachers’ College, and obtained a university degree from the Party School of the Central Committee of 
Communist Party of China majoring in economics and management. He is an expert of political science. He began his 
career in July 1984, and joined the Communist Party of China in February 1988. He was an officer of Public Relationship 
Section of Political Department of the Hunan Bureau of Civil Aviation Administration, the Senior Staff Member of Publicity 
Division of Political Department of the Guangzhou Bureau of Civil Aviation Administration and the Principal Staff Member 
of Publicity Department of the Company. He served as the Deputy Director of Publicity Department of the China Southern 
Airlines (Group) Company in September 1994. He had been the Director of Political Division of Flight Department of the 
Company from December 1999. Mr. Li was the Deputy Party Secretary of Flight Department and Director of Political 
Division of the Company from May 2002. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Party Secretary of Guangzhou 
Flight Operations Division of the Company from May 2004. Mr. Li served as the Party Secretary and Vice President of 
Guangzhou Flight Operations Division of the Company from March 2006. Mr. Li has been the Chairman of the Labour 
Union of the Company since August 2012 and the Executive Director of the Company since January 2013. Mr. Li served 
as the President and Deputy Party Secretary of the Training Centre of the Company since April 2017. Mr. Li also has been 
the Chief Training Officer of the Company since June 2019.

Xie Bing, male, born in September 1973 (aged 46), graduated from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 
majoring in Civil Aviation Management. He subsequently received a master degree of business administration from the 
Management School of Jinan University, a master degree of business administration (international banking and finance) 
from the University of Birmingham, Britain and a MBA, an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree 
from Tsinghua University, respectively. Mr. Xie is a Senior Economist, fellow member and FCS of The Hong Kong Institute 
of Chartered Secretaries, and has the qualification for Company Secretary of companies listed on Shanghai Stock 
Exchange and also has the qualification for Company Secretary of companies listed on Stock Exchange. Mr. Xie began his 
career in July 1995, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in January 1994. He successively served as the Assistant 
of Company Secretary of the Company, and the Executive Secretary of the General Office of CSAH. Mr. Xie has been 
the Company Secretary and Deputy Director of the Company Secretary Office from November 2007. From December 
2009, Mr. Xie has been the Secretary to the Board and Director of the Company Secretary Office of the Company. Form 
April 2017, he has been the Secretary to the Board of the Company, Director of the Company Secretary Bureau of the 
Company. For now, he also acts as Chairman and Party Secretary of China Southern Airlines Group Capital Holding 
Limited (中國南航集團資本控股有限公司) and Chairman of CSA International Finance Leasing Co., Ltd., Deputy President 
of Central Enterprises Overseas students Sodality (中央企業留學人員聯誼會) and a Council Member of The Hong Kong 
Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

98

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceFeng Hua Nan, male, born in November 1962 (aged 57), graduated with a college degree from China Civil Aviation Flying 
College, majoring in Aircraft Piloting, and obtained a master degree in Aeronautical Engineering from School of Automation 
Science and Electrical Engineering of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and an Executive Master of 
Business Administration (EMBA) from Tsinghua University. He is a commanding pilot. Mr. Feng began his career in January 
1983, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in October 1986. He successively served as the Director of Zhuhai Flight 
Training Centre of China Southern Airlines (Group) Company and the Deputy General Manager of Flight Operation Division 
of the Company. He was the General Manager of Flight Safety Technology Department from December 1999, and the 
General Manager of Flight Technology Management Department of the Company from November 2002. Mr. Feng also 
served as the Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of Guizhou Airlines Company Limited from September 2004, 
and then served as the General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Guizhou Airlines Company Limited from February 
2006. He has been the COO Flight Safety of the Company since August 2014.

Guo Jian Ye, male, born in December 1962 (aged 57), graduated from Party School of Civil Aviation Flight University of 
China majoring in Aircraft Piloting, South China Normal University majoring in Political Education in Education Management 
Department and the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC majoring in economic management. He obtained a 
master’s degree from the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC and also obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy. He 
is an expert of political science. He began his career in May 1980, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in May 1986. 
He was appointed as Secretary of Youth League Committee, Deputy Director of Advertising and Promotion Department 
of CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, Director of Political Department of Air traffic management bureau 
under CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, Vice Director of Air traffic management bureau under CAAC 
Central and Southern Regional Administration and General Manager of Guangdong CAAC Central and Southern Industrial 
Co., Ltd., Deputy Head of CAAC Hainan Safety Supervision Office, Head and Party Secretary of CAAC Henan Safety 
Supervision Office, Director and Party Secretary of CAAC Henan Safety Supervision Administration, the member of 
standing committee of CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration, as well as the Vice Director. In July 2012, 
he served as General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Heilongjiang Branch of the Company. From July 2014, he 
acted as, Director and Deputy Party Secretary of Commercial Steering committee of the Company. Since January 2017, 
he has been the Chief Customer Officer of the Company. For now, he also acts as Chairman of Shenzhen Air Catering 
Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Nanland Air Catering Company Limited, Guangzhou China Southern Zhongmian Dutyfree Store Co., 
Limited, China Southern Jia Yuan (Guangzhou) Air Products Co., Ltd..

Luo Ming Hao, male, born in September 1962 (aged 57), graduated from the Civil Aviation Flight University of China for 
professional flying. He graduated with a master degree from the Party School of Hunan Provincial Committee (湖南省委
黨校) majoring in economics. He obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua 
University. He is Second Class Pilot (二級飛行員). He began his career in July 1982, and joined the Communist Party 
of China in December 1984. He served as the deputy general manager of the flight division of Hunan Branch of CSAH 
and deputy manager, manager of Bei Hai Sales Department in Hunan Branch of the Company. He served as the deputy 
general manager of Hunan Branch of the Company in May 2002, General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of the 
Cabin Department of the Company in December 2006. He acted as General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of 
Dalian Branch of the Company in December 2010, General Manager and Deputy Party Secretary of Guangzhou Flight 
Department of the Company in July 2012 and Chief Pilot of the Company in March 2018.

Save as disclosed above, none of the above Directors, Supervisors or senior management of the Company has any 
relationship with any Directors, Supervisors, senior management, substantial shareholders of the Company.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportDirectors, Supervisors, Senior Management and Employees

II.  Staff of the Company and Major Subsidiaries

As of 31 December 2019, the Group had an aggregate of 103,876 employees (31 December 2018: 100,831).

Number of current staff in the Company (by person)

69,776

1.  Professions Composition

Categories by profession

Pilots
Cabin attendants (including part-time security personnel)
Air marshals
Engineering unit
Navigation unit
Passenger transportation unit
Cargo transportation unit
Ground services unit
Information unit
Financial unit
Others

Total

2.  Educational Level

Categories by education levels

Postgraduates
Undergraduates
Junior college
Technical School or below

Total

Number of current 
staff in major 
subsidiaries  
(by person)

Total number of 
current staff  
(by person)

34,100

103,876

Number of 
professionals  
(by person)

10,574
23,146
3,526
17,245
2,477
8,945
7,606
10,794
1,916
1,932
15,715

103,876

Number (by person)

4,401
50,659
31,193
17,623

103,876

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.  Emolument Policy of Employees

During the reporting period, the Company vigorously promoted the reform of employment and compensation system to 
achieve the high quality development as follows: the implementation of linkage between two-tiered unit remuneration and 
market-oriented accounting, the growth of total remuneration was maintained in line with the growth of efficacy, and the 
value contribution of each unit was encouraged to improve the overall economic efficacy of the Company. The Company 
has established a market-oriented position management system and salary management system, implemented a wide-
range salary system, implemented a promotion and salary adjustment mechanism closely linked to performance appraisal, 
strengthened the linkage between salary distribution and performance appraisal, and encouraged employees to strive for 
excellence. The Company optimized the performance appraisal management system, implemented the linkage between 
the distribution of staff assessment level and performance, increased the assessment for work attitude, established the 
management list of negative behaviors of employees, implemented the performance score system, guided employees to 
consciously comply with the Sunshine China Southern Airlines Convention, so as to cultivate a high performance culture. 
The Company actively explores the medium-and long-term incentive plans for professional managers, establish and 
improve market-oriented mechanism for employing and selecting employees and incentive and constraint mechanism, to 
stimulate the vitality and motivation of the Company.

4.  Training Plan

In 2020, the Company will continue to adhere to the concept of “Training Supports Strategy, Training Creates Value 
(培訓支撐戰略 、培訓創造價值) ” under the strategic direction of “standardization, integration, intelligentization and 
internationalization”. The Company promoted the implementation of the overall education training plan and further promote 
the quality of the Company training through strengthening top-level design, paying close attention to the construction of 
the “three basics”, concerning key groups, launching key projects, optimizing management system and other aspects, 
thus ensuring the improvement of the ability of our staff and providing sufficient talent for the Company’s safe and efficient 
operation.

In 2020, the Company will keep expanding training coverage. The major staff training items include technical training for 
new employees of various systems, annual pilot retraining, basic license training and professional and technical training for 
maintenance personnel, retraining for dispatchers, training for familiarization with international operations, regular retraining 
for flight attendants, training for aircraft transfer, regular training for safety officers, emergency response retraining, and 
international personnel training for passenger and freight transportation marketing. Meantime, the Company will keep 
strengthening the construction of training courses, teaching staff and operation system, implementing the training 
“from post to person” and exploring the training market accounting mechanism; promoting the “100 Talents Program” 
construction of high-skilled personnel in the maintenance, cabin, aviation and ground services systems, and training a 
number of “China Southern Airlines Craftsmen” and “Skill Masters".

5. 

Information on Labor Outsourcing

Total hours of outsourced labor

56.09 million hours

Total pay for outsourced labor (RMB)

2,545.01 million

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

The Company, according to the requirements of relevant laws and regulations, such as Company Law, Securities Law, 
and Articles of Association of the Company, has set up its corporate governance systems consisted of general meeting, 
the Board, Supervisory Committee and operational management. This forms the Company’s operation mechanism based 
on which the Company’s organ of authority, decision-making body, supervisory body and executive body cooperate, 
coordinate and interact mutually. There was no material difference between the Company’s actual governance conditions 
and the requirements of normative documents, such as Code of Corporate Governance for Listed Companies in China 
released by the CSRC. The Company, according to domestic and international regulatory requirements, constantly 
modified and improved the Articles of Association and related rules to standardize its operation.

It is the firm belief of the Company that a good and solid corporate governance framework is essential to the sustained 
development of the Company and the enhancement of shareholders’ value. The Company has always been striving to 
strictly comply with the regulatory requirements of the CSRC, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange, the 
New York Stock Exchange and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and is committed to attaining and 
maintaining high standards of corporate governance and adopts principles of corporate governance emphasizing a quality 
board, accountability to all stakeholders, open communication and fair disclosure.

Corporate Governance Code

The Board has reviewed the corporate governance practices of the Company, and considers that the Company has 
applied the principles of the corporate governance practices and adopted sound governance and disclosure practices 
accordingly. The Group has complied with the code provisions of the Corporate Governance Code as set out in Appendix 
14 to the Listing Rules of the Stock Exchange. for the year ended 31 December 2019.

The corporate governance practices adopted by the Company are summarized below.

System Construction

The Company strictly follows the regulatory requirements of the place where it is listed to constantly improve the Articles 
of Association and related governing rules. During the reporting period, the Company modified Rules of Procedure for the 
Standing Committee of the Board of Directors of China Southern Airlines Company Limited, Rules of Procedures for the 
CEO operation Meeting of China Southern Airlines Company Limited, and continuously improved the related rules.

The General Meeting

The general meeting of the Company is the top organ of authority and exercise all of its powers and functions legally. 
The Company strictly followed the requirements of laws, regulations, Articles of Association, and Rules of Procedures for 
General Meeting, and etc. to conduct all work of the general meeting and fully secure shareholders to legally exercise their 
rights of shareholders. During the reporting period, the Company held 3 general meeting, 2 class meeting and engaged 
lawyers to witness the procedures for calling and holding a general meeting. Such procedures were legal and effective and 
ensured all shareholders, especially minority shareholders, to participate in decision to fairly exercise their rights by online 
voting at the general meeting, without causing damage to the benefits of the minority shareholders.

102

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceThe Board

The Board is the decision-making body of the Company and accountable to the General Meeting of Shareholders. 
Within the scope of its functions and powers stipulated in the Articles of Association, it shall formulate the Company’s 
development strategies in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the Rules of Procedure of the Board. In addition, 
it shall supervise the implementation of the operation and management and the financial performance, and provide 
recommendations on appointment of directors and executives. It shall also make decisions on major contracts and 
transactions, as well as other major policies and financial matters. The Board reasonably authorized executive directors 
and senior managers according to law. This helped improve the decision-making level and procedure efficiency, and 
promote the development of the Company’s production and operation.

The major issues which were brought before the Board for their decisions included:

1.  Direction of the operational strategies of the Group;

2.  Setting the policies relating to key business and financial objectives of the Company;

3.  Monitoring the performance of the management;

4.  Approval of material acquisitions, investments, sales, disposal of assets or any significant capital expenditure of the 

Group;

5.  Ensuring a prudent and effective internal control system; and

6.  Review of the financial performance and results of the Company.

Under the leadership of the President, the management of the Company is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 
Group. The roles of the Chairman, Mr. Wang Chang Shun are separated from that of the President, Mr. Ma Xu Lun. Such 
division of responsibilities allows a balance of power between the Board and the management of the Group, and ensures 
their independence and accountability. The Chairman is the leader of the Board and he oversees the Board so that it acts 
in the best interests of the Group. The Chairman is responsible for deciding the agenda for each Board meeting, taking 
into account, where appropriate, matters proposed by other Directors for inclusion in the agenda. In addition, the Chairman has 
an overall responsibility for providing leadership, vision and direction in the development of the business of the Company. 
The President, assisted by the Executive Vice President, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the business 
of the Group, attends to the formulation and successful implementation of policies, and assumes full accountability to the 
Board for all operations of the Group. Working with the Executive Vice President and the executive management team 
of each core business division, the President ensures the effective operations and sustained development of the Group. 
He maintains a continuing dialogue with the Chairman and all Directors to keep them fully informed of all major business 
development issues. He is also responsible for building and maintaining an effective executive team to support him in his 
role. The Chairman and the President are not connected with each other. None of the other Directors is connected with 
one another.

As of 31 December 2019, the members of the 8th session of the Board comprise three executive Directors and four 
independent non-executive Directors. All of the Directors have a term of three years. The brief biographical details of the 
Directors are set out on pages 92 to 94 of this Annual Report.

The Board held 28 meetings in 2019, all of which were convened in accordance with the Articles of Association. The 
Company held 5 general meetings in 2019, the Directors actively participated general meeting in person and have been 
doing their best to develop a balanced understanding of the views of shareholders.

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The attendance of each Director is as follows:

Attendance of Board Meetings

Whether 
independent 
Director or not

Number of 
meetings 
that required 
attendance

Number of 
meetings 
attended in 
person

Number of 
meetings 
participated 
by way of 
conference 
communication

Number of 
meetings 
attended by 
proxy

Number of 
meetings 
absent

Absence in two 
consecutive 
meetings

Name of Directors

Wang Chang Shun
Ma Xu Lun  

(appointed on  
8 May 2019)
Han Wen Sheng  
(appointed on  
8 May 2019)
Zhang Zi Fang  
(resigned on  
8 May 2019)

Zheng Fan
Gu Hui Zhong
Tan Jin Song
Jiao Shu Ge

No
No

No

No

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

28
20

20

8

23
23
23
23

3
4

4

0

4
5
5
5

Meetings of the Board held during the year
Of which: number of meetings attended in person
Number of meetings held by way of conference communication
Number of meetings held by combination of attendance in person 

and by way of conference communication

2
0

0

1

1
0
0
0

0 No
0 No

0 No

0 No

0 No
0 No
0 No
0 No

23
16

16

7

23
23
23
23

28
5
23

0

Attendance 
of General 
Meetings

Number 
of general 
meetings 
attendance

2
5

5

0

2
5
4
1

The experience and views of our independent non-executive Directors are held in high regard and serve as an effective 
guidance for the operation of the Group. The independent non-executive Directors provide the Group with a wide range 
of expertise and experience and bring in independent judgment on issues relating to the Group’s strategy, performance 
and management process, taking into account the interests of all shareholders. The independent non-executive Directors 
represent one-third of the Board. One independent non-executive Director, Tan Jin Song, has the appropriate professional 
qualifications of accounting or related financial management expertise under Rule 3.10 of the Listing Rules. Pursuant 
to the guidelines on independence as set out in Rule 3.13 of the Listing Rules, the Company has received an annual 
independence confirmation from each independent non-executive Director and considers that all the independent non-
executive Directors are independent. In addition, their extensive experiences in business and finance are very important 
to the Company’s successful development. In 2019, the independent non-executive Directors expressed their views and 
opinions about certain matters relevant to the shareholders and the Company as a whole at the Board meetings.

The Board has adopted a board diversity policy setting out the approach to diversity of members of the Board. The 
summary of the board diversity policy are as follows: The Company recognises and embraces the benefits of diversity of 
Board members. It endeavours to ensure that the Board has a balance of skills, experience and diversity of perspectives 
appropriate to the requirements of the Company’s business. All Board appointments will continue to be made on a merit 
basis with due regard for the benefits of diversity of the Board members. Selection of candidates will be based on a 
range of diversity perspectives, including but not limited to gender, age, cultural and educational background, experience 
(professional or otherwise), skills and knowledge. The ultimate decision will be made upon the merits and contribution that 
the selected candidates will bring to the Board.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors

The members of the Board come from different industrial backgrounds, with rich experiences and professional knowledge 
as to financial accounting, investment strategies, corporate cultures, corporate governance, and etc. Each Director serves 
a three-year term of office and may be re-elected to a consecutive second term, but by principle only up to 2 consecutive 
terms in the case of independent non-executive Director. There is no major related relations among all Directors, including 
in terms of finance, business, relatives or others. All Directors may obtain from the Secretary to the Board the related 
information on the regulations a listed company’s Directors must observes and their regulatory and other consistent 
responsibilities and the latest developments in such aspects, so as to ensure Directors understand their duties and secure 
the procedures of the Board are executed and applicable laws and regulations are properly observed. The Company’s 
independent Directors work diligently, are devoted, actively attend meetings of the Board and its committees, express 
independent opinions about connected transactions, external guarantees, cash dividends, non-public offering, non-public 
issuance of shares, appointment and removal of Directors and senior management and many other affairs, and give advice 
and suggestions on the Company’s production, operation, and debt restructuring. During the reporting period, Mr. Wang 
Chang Shun, Mr. Ma Xu Lun and Mr. Han Wen Sheng are the executive Directors of the 8th session of the Board. Mr. 
Zheng Fan, Mr. Gu Hui Zhong, Mr. Tan Jin Song and Mr. Jiao Shu Ge are independent non-executive Directors of the 8th 
session of the Board. Mr. Zhang Zi Fang, a former executive Director, resigned on 8 May 2019. Mr. Ma Xu Lun and Mr. 
Han Wen Sheng were appointed as executive Directors on 8 May 2019.

Continuous Professional Development of Directors

All Directors of the Company receive comprehensive, formal and tailored induction on appointment, so as to ensure 
understanding of the business and operations of the Group and Directors’ responsibilities and obligations under the Listing 
Rules and relevant regulatory requirements.

Directors of the Company are continually updated on developments in the statutory and regulatory regime, and the 
business and market changes to facilitate the discharge of their responsibilities and obligations under the Listing Rules 
and relevant statutory requirements. Continuing briefings and professional development for Directors will be arranged as 
necessary.

During the year of 2019, the Company has provided updates and coordinated training on the Listing Rules and relevant 
regulatory requirements to all Directors. All Directors have provided to the Company records indicating that they have 
received required training.

All Directors of the Company as at 31 December 2019 actively participated in continuous professional development, 
by attending external seminars, attending in–house training or reading materials, with the topics covering regulations, 
corporate governance, finance and business, to develop their knowledge and skills.

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Supervisory Committee

The Company’s Supervisory Committee is consisted of the shareholder representative supervisors who are elected 
and removed by the general meeting, and staff representatives supervisors who are elected by the Company’s worker 
representatives. Currently, the Supervisory Committee consists of 3 supervisors, of which, 2 are shareholder representative 
supervisors, and 1 is worker representative supervisor. The Supervisory Committee has 1 chairman. None of the 
Company’s Directors, President, Vice President or the responsible financial persons serve concurrently as supervisors. 
The Supervisory Committee strictly follows the requirements of laws and regulations, Articles of Association, and Rules of 
Procedures of the Supervisory Committee to standardize its operation. The supervisors work diligently, honestly, actively 
attend meetings of the Supervisory Committee, sit in on the general meetings and the Board meeting, legally supervise 
the decision-making procedures of the Company’s connected transactions, cash dividends, external guarantees, non-
public offering, and many other major affairs, as well as the performance of duties of the Company’s Directors and senior 
management. In addition, they also receive the report on the preparation and audit work of the financial reports, and 
actively understand the construction and execution of the Company’s internal control systems. During the reporting period, 
the Supervisory Committee convened a total of 4 on-site meetings and 2 extraordinary meetings. Meanwhile, it audited, 
as per the requirements of the Company Law, Articles of Association, Rules of Procedures of the Supervisory Committee, 
the Company’s major affairs, such as, the Company’s compliance, periodical reports, financial work, cash dividends, 
connected transactions, internal control, and gave audit opinions. Mr. Pan Fu, a former supervisor and the chairman of the 
8th session of the Supervisory Committee, resigned on 8 May 2019. Mr. Lin Xiao Chun was appointed as the shareholder 
representative supervisor on 8 May 2019. Mr. Lin Jia Shi was appointed as the chairman of the 8th session of the 
Supervisory Committee on 8 May 2019.

Board Committees

The Company has put in place a Strategic and Investment Committee, an Audit and Risk Management Committee, a 
Remuneration and Assessment Committee, a Nomination Committee and a Aviation Safety Committee. Further details of 
the roles and functions and the composition of each of the committees are set out below:

Strategic and Investment Committee

The Strategic and Investment Committee comprises three members and is chaired by Mr. Wang Chang Shun. The other 
two members are Mr. Gu Hui Zhong as independent non-executive Director and Mr. Jiao Shu Ge as independent non-
executive Director.

The Strategic and Investment Committee held 1 meeting in 2019, which was held according to its rules and procedures, 
and considered a report on the action plan for serving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. The attendance 
of each member is as follows.

Members of Strategic and Investment Committee

Wang Chang Shun (Chairman)
Gu Hui Zhong
Jiao Shu Ge

(No. of meetings) 
Attended/Eligible  

to attend

1/1
1/1
1/1

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
Audit and Risk Management Committee

The Audit and Risk Management Committee comprises three independent non-executive Directors, one of whom, Mr. 
Tan Jin Song, possesses the appropriate professional qualifications or accounting or financial management expertise 
to understand financial statements. As at 31 December 2019, the Audit and Risk Management Committee was chaired 
by Mr. Tan Jin Song with Mr. Gu Hui Zhong and Mr. Jiao Shu Ge as the members of the Audit and Risk Management 
Committee. The Audit and Risk Management Committee has been provided with sufficient resources to discharge its 
duties and has access to independent professional advice if necessary.

The terms of reference of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Company are in compliance with the 
provision of C.3.3 of the Code, and applicable policies, rules and regulations that the Company is subject to. The details 
of the roles and functions of the Audit and Risk Management Committee are set out in the Terms of Reference of Audit 
and Risk Management Committee of the Company which has been published on the websites of the Stock Exchange 
and the Company at “www.hkexnews.hk” and “www.csair.com”. In 2019, the Audit and Risk Management Committee 
carried out the work, among other things, to oversee the relationship with the external auditors, to review the Group’s 
2019 quarterly results, 2019 interim results and 2018 annual financial statements, to monitor compliance with statutory 
and listing requirements, to review the scope, if necessary, to engage independent legal or other advisers as it determines 
is necessary and to perform investigations. In addition, the Audit and Risk Management Committee also examined the 
effectiveness of the Company’s risk management internal control system, which involves regular reviews of the risk 
management and internal control of various corporate structures and business processes on a continuous basis, and takes 
into account their respective potential risks and severity, in order to ensure the effectiveness of the Company’s business 
operations and the realization of its corporate objectives and strategies. The scope of such examinations and reviews 
includes finance, operations, regulatory compliance and risk management. The Audit and Risk Management Committee 
also reviewed the Company’s internal audit plan, and submitted relevant reports and concrete recommendations to the 
Board on a regular basis.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee held 14 meetings in 2019. The Audit and Risk Management Committee has 
performed all its obligations under its terms of reference. The attendance of each member is as follows:

Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee

Tan Jin Song (Chairman)
Gu Hui Zhong
Jiao Shu Ge

(No. of meetings) 
Attended/Eligible  

to attend

14/14
14/14
14/14

The Audit and Risk Management Committee reviewed the performance, independence and objectivity of the Company’s 
auditors and was satisfied with the results.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee concludes that the independence of the auditors of the Company has not 
been compromised by non-audit services provided for the Group.

At 2018 annual general meeting of the Company, the Company has considered and approved the appointment of KPMG 
Huazhen LLP to provide professional services to the Company for its domestic financial reporting and internal control 
reporting, U.S. financial reporting and internal control for the year 2019 and appointment of KPMG to provide professional 
services to the Company for its Hong Kong financial reporting for the year 2019.

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Corporate Governance Report

The following table sets forth the type of, and fees for, the principal audit services and non-audit services provided by the 
Company’s external auditor to the Group in 2018 and 2019:

Audit fees
Non-audit fees

Total

2019
RMB Million

2018
RMB Million

18
2

20

15
3

18

Note 1: The total audit fees included the audit fees of RMB3 million (VAT tax inclusive) regarding the statutory audit services for certain 

subsidiaries of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2019.

Note 2: Non-audit fees are mainly derived from tax services.

Remuneration and Assessment Committee

As at 31 December 2019, the Remuneration and Assessment Committee comprises three members and chaired by Mr. 
Gu Hui Zhong (independent non-executive Director) together with Mr. Han Wen Sheng (executive Director) and Mr. Zheng 
Fan (independent non-executive Director) as members. Mr. Han Wen Sheng was appointed as an executive Director on 8 
May 2019. Executive Director Mr. Zhang Zi Fang resigned on 8 May 2019.

The main responsibilities of the Remuneration and Assessment Committee are to make recommendations to the Board on 
the remuneration policy, structure and packages for Directors and senior management of the Company, and to establish 
regular and transparent procedures on remuneration policy development and improvement. In particular, the Remuneration 
and Assessment Committee has the duty to ensure that the Directors or any of their associates shall not be involved 
in the determination of their own remuneration packages. The details of the roles and functions of the Remuneration 
and Assessment Committee are set out in the Terms of Reference of Remuneration and Assessment Committee of the 
Company which has been published on the websites of the Stock Exchange and the Company at “www.hkexnews.hk” 
and “www.csair.com”.

The Remuneration and Assessment Committee held 2 meetings in 2019, which was held according to its rules and 
procedures. The meeting reviewed the resolutions including the total remuneration accounts for the year 2017, the total 
remuneration budgets and accounts for the year 2018 and the total remuneration budgets for the year 2019 and other 
resolutions. The attendance of each member is as follows.

Members of Remuneration and Assessment Committee

Gu Hui Zhong (Chairman)
Zhang Zi Fang (Resigned on 8 May 2019)
Zheng Fan
Han Wen Sheng (Appointed on 8 May 2019)

(No. of meeting) 
Attended/Eligible  

to attend

2/2
0/0
2/2
2/2

The Remuneration and Assessment Committee consulted, when appropriate, the Chairman and/or the President about 
its proposals relating to the remuneration of other executive Directors. The Remuneration and Assessment Committee 
is provided with sufficient resources to discharge its duties and professional advice is available if necessary. The 
Remuneration and Assessment Committee is also responsible for assessing performance of executive Directors and 
approving the terms of executive Directors’ service contracts. The Remuneration and Assessment Committee has 
performed all its responsibilities under its terms of reference in 2019.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nomination Committee

As at 31 December 2019, the Nomination Committee consists of three members, including Mr. Zheng Fan (independent 
non-executive Director) as chairman and Mr. Wang Chang Shun (executive Director) and Mr. Jiao Shu Ge (independent 
non-executive Director) as members. The responsibilities of the Nomination Committee are to make recommendations to 
the Board in respect of the size and composition of the Board based on the operational activities, assets and shareholding 
structure of the Company; study the selection criteria and procedures of Directors and Senior Management and give 
advice to the Board by consideration of the board diversity policy; identify qualified candidates for Directors and Senior 
Management; investigate and propose candidates for Directors and Senior Management and other senior management 
members to the Board.

In accordance with relevant laws and regulations as well as the provisions of the Articles of Association, the Nomination 
Committee shall study and resolve on the selection criteria, procedures and terms of office for Directors and managers 
with reference to the Company’s actual situation and the board diversity policy. Any resolution made in this regard shall be 
filed and proposed to the Board for approval and shall be implemented accordingly. The selection procedures of Directors 
and senior management are (1) the Nomination Committee shall actively communicate with the relevant departments of 
the Company to research on the demand of the Company for new Directors and senior management and report the same 
in writing; (2) the Nomination Committee may extensively look for the candidates of Directors and senior management 
within the Company and its controlled (associated) companies as well as in the market; (3) to obtain information regarding 
the occupation, academic qualification, job title, detailed working experience and all the part-time positions of the initially 
proposed candidates and to report the same in writing; (4) to seek the nominees’ acceptance on nomination, otherwise 
he or she shall not be put on the list of candidates of Directors and senior management; (5) to convene meetings of the 
Nomination Committee and to inspect the qualification of initially proposed candidates according to the job qualifications 
of Directors and senior management; (6) to make recommendations and submit relevant materials about the candidates 
of Directors and senior management to the Board one to two months prior to the election of new Directors and the 
appointment of new senior management; and (7) to conduct other follow-up work according to the decision and feedback 
of the Board. The criteria to be considered as reference by the Nomination Committee in assessing a proposed candidate 
include the required skills, knowledge and quality to perform the duties. Details of the criteria are set out in the Procedural 
Rules of the Board of Directors which has been published by the Company on the website of the Stock Exchange at 
“www.hkexnews.hk” on 8 November 2017. The Nomination Committee is provided with sufficient resources to discharge 
its duties and independently engage intermediate agencies to provide professional advice on its proposals if necessary. 
The details of the roles and functions of the Nomination Committee are set out in the Terms of Reference of Nomination 
Committee of the Company which has been published on the websites of the Stock Exchange and the Company at  
“www.hkexnews.hk” and “www.csair.com”.

The Nomination Committee held 2 meetings in 2019, to nominate and appoint Mr. Ma Xu Lun as the President of the 
Company, Mr. Luo Lai Jun as Executive Vice President of the Company, and Mr. Li Shao Bin as Chief Training Officer of 
the Company. The Nomination Committee has performed all its obligations under their terms of reference in 2019. The 
attendance of each member of the Nomination Committee is as follows.

Members of the Nomination Committee

Zheng Fan (Chairman)
Wang Chang Shun
Jiao Shu Ge

(No. of meetings) 
Attended/Eligible  

to attend

2/2
2/2
2/2

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Corporate Governance Report

Aviation Safety Committee

The Aviation Safety Committee comprises three members and is chaired by Mr. Ma Xu Lun as the executive Director. The 
other two members are Mr. Zheng Fan as independent non-executive Director and Mr. Tan Jin Song as independent non-
executive Director. Mr. Ma Xu Lun was appointed as an executive Director on 8 May 2019.

The Aviation Safety Committee held 2 meetings in 2019, which was held according to its rules and procedures, and 
considered a report on the Company’s work on flight safety in 2019. The attendance of each member is as follows.

Members of Aviation Safety Committee

Ma Xu Lun (Chairman) (Appointed on 8 May 2019)
Zheng Fan
Tan Jin Song

Corporate Governance Functions

(No. of meeting) 
Attended/Eligible  

to attend

2/2
2/2
2/2

The Board is responsible for performing the corporate governance duties set out in the code provision D.3.1 of the revised 
Corporate Governance Code.

During the year, the Board established board diversity policy. The Board reviewed the compliance of the Model Code and 
disclosure in this Corporate Governance Report during the Board meeting to approve the annual result.

Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors and Supervisors of Listed 
Issuers

Having made specific enquiries with all the Directors and Supervisors, they confirmed that the Directors had for the year 
ended 31 December 2019 complied with the Model Code. The code of conduct adopted by the Company regarding 
securities transactions by Directors and Supervisors is no less stringent than the Model Code.

Responsibility for the Financial Statements

The following statement, which sets out the responsibilities of the Directors in relation to the financial statements, 
should be read in conjunction with, but distinguished from, the reports prepared by the auditor of the Company, which 
acknowledges the reporting responsibilities of the Group’s auditor.

The Directors are responsible for the preparation of periodic accounts for each financial year which should give a true and 
fair view of the state of affairs, results and cash flows of the Group during that period.

The responsibilities of the Company’s external auditor, KPMG, are set out on pages 128 to 132 to auditor’s report. The 
Directors consider that in preparing the financial statements, the Group uses appropriate accounting policies that are 
consistently applied, and that all applicable accounting standards are followed.

The Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Group keeps accounting records which disclose with reasonable 
accuracy of the financial position of the Group and which enables the preparation of financial statements in accordance 
with PRC laws and regulations and disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and the applicable 
accounting standards.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
Communications with Shareholders and Investor Relations

The Company values the rights and interests of investors. According to the Working Guidelines for the Relationship 
Between Listed Companies and Investors issued by the CSRC and the Notice on Further Strengthening the Management 
of Investor Relations in Listed Companies issued by the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Company has set up a professional 
team, established an investor relations column on the official website, improved various communication channels such 
as telephone, e-mail and Internet, conducted multi-level communication, and launched a good two-way communication 
mechanism and platform.

During the reporting period, the Company proactively carried out its equity culture, adhered to investor-centered 
policy, made great efforts to improve the working accuracy and service quality in respect of investor relations, so as to 
safeguarded the rights and interests of investors.

The Company held and attended over 90 various presentations, strategy meetings and teleconferences during the year, 
and have conducted in-depth communication with more than 1,000 investors and analysts on hot issues concerned by 
investors such as the Company’s strategy, finance, operation and risks, so as to enhance investors’ understanding of the 
Company’s development and prospect in the long run. Taking the advantages of Internet and making good use of investor 
relations websites, e-mail and “sns.sseinfo.com”, the Company constantly strengthened its communication with investors, 
especially with small and medium-sized investors. The Company has improved the information collection and feedback 
mechanism, enhanced the dynamic monitoring of media and public opinion, investor concerns and analyst reports, so 
as to optimize the quality of investor communication. In order to promote the continuous improvement of the corporate 
governance and internal value, we positively obtained suggestions and opinions from capital market on the development of 
the industry and the Company’s operation.

In 2020, the Company will adhere to the concept of respecting investors and bringing returns to investors, deepen the 
communication with investors, strengthen investors’ understanding and recognition for the Company, and safeguard 
investors’ rights and interests.

Investors and the public may refer to the Company’s website (www.csair.com) to understand and obtain details relating to 
our corporate governance structure, organizational structure, stock information, production statistics, results announcement 
and other announcements. The procedures are as follows:

1.  Open the Home page of the Company’s website and click “Investor Relations”

2.  Click the content you want to read

For enquiries about shareholders’ general meetings and Board meetings, investors may contact the Company Secretary 
by phone at (8620)8611-2480, by fax to (8620)8665-9040 or by e-mail to ir@csair.com. Investors may also raise questions 
directly at the annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings. Enquiries about attending annual general 
meetings or extraordinary general meetings and the procedures for proposing resolutions at such meetings may also be 
made to the Company Secretary by the above means.

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Information Disclosure

The Company has strictly complied with the relevant listing rules of all the listing places to perform its information 
disclosure obligation truthfully, accurately, completely, timely, fair and effectively.

During the reporting period, under the background of comprehensive, strict and legal supervision, the Company further 
optimizes working mode, continuously improves the compilation process for key disclosure matters, and improved 
information-delivery efficiency and quality. The Company has taken multiple measures to strengthen internal and external 
training and communication, and continuously improve the integrated ability of the Company’s “comprehensive information 
disclosure team (大信息披露團隊)". The Company innovates the management method, establishes the long-term safety 
mechanism of listing compliance by taking a case as an example for the rest of the lot to follow, to effectively strengthen 
the Company’s compliance foundation.

In August 2019, the Company received a level-A information disclosure rating for the year 2018-2019 from Shanghai Stock 
Exchange. So far, the Company has obtained level-A information disclosure rating from the Shanghai Exchange Stock for 
six consecutive years.

Amendments to Articles of Association

On 27 December 2019, in the second extraordinary general meeting of the Company, a resolution was passed to grant 
authorization to the Company’s the Board to issue the proposed shares, and make amendments to Articles of Association 
of the Company upon completion of the proposed share issuance, thus reflecting the such increase and change in 
registered capital of the Company. For details, please refer to the Company’s announcement dated 30 October 2019 and 
circular dated 12 November 2019.

In 2019, there was no other amendments made to the Articles of Association.

Dividend Policy 

The Company’s dividend payment policy is as follows:

Principles of dividend payment by the Company: Provided that the long-term and sustainable development of the 
Company are ensured, the dividend payment policy of the Company should pay close attention to ensuring a reasonable 
return of investment to investors and establishing a firm intention of rewarding the shareholders, and such dividend 
payment policy should maintain its continuity and stability.

Ways of dividend payment by the Company: The Company may distribute dividends by way of cash, shares, a 
combination of cash and shares or in other reasonable manners in compliance with laws and regulations.

Conditions and proportion of distribution of dividends by the Company: Conditional upon the Company being profitable for 
the year and after allocation to the statutory common reserve fund and discretionary common reserve fund as required, 
and there are no exceptional matters including material investment plans or material cash outflows (material investment 
plans or material cash outflows refer to proposed external investments, acquisition of assets or purchase of equipment 
in the coming 12 months that in aggregate constitute expenditure exceeding 30% of the net assets of the Company as 
shown in the latest audited consolidated statements) and there has not incurred any material losses (losses in the amount 
exceeding 10% of the net assets of the Company as shown in the latest audited consolidated statements), the Company 
shall distribute cash dividends out of profit in an amount not less than 10% of the distributable profit for the year (i.e. profit 
realized for the year after making up for losses and allocation to reserve fund). The accumulated payment of dividend by 
way of cash for the last three years may not be less than 30% of the Company’s average distributable profit for the last 
three years. The accumulated payment of dividend by way of cash for the coming three years may not be less than 30% 
of the Company’s average distributable profit for such three years.

112

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceIntervals for dividend payment by the Company: Provided that the conditions of profit distribution are met and the 
Company’s normal operation and sustainable development are ensured, the Company shall in principle distribute dividend 
on an annual basis, and interim dividend may also be distributed based on the profitability and capital requirement 
conditions of the Company.

Conditions of profit distribution by way of share dividends: Provided that the minimum proportion of distribution of cash 
dividends is met and reasonable scale of share capital and shareholding structure of the Company are ensured, and with 
particular attention paid on keeping the steps of capital expansion in pace with the growth in operation results, if there are 
special circumstances which prevent distribution by way of cash, the Company may consider distributing profit by way of 
share dividends as a return to investors after consideration of its profitability and cash flow position and performance of 
the procedures required by the Articles of Association. Where the Company made a payment of dividend satisfied by an 
allotment of new shares or completed conversion of capital common reserve fund into capital, the Company may elect not 
to distribute dividend by way of cash in the same year, and that year is not counted in the three years as stated above in 
this Articles of Association.

Shareholders’ Rights

As one of the measures to safeguard shareholders’ interests and rights, separate resolutions are proposed at shareholders’ 
meetings on each substantial issue, including the election of individual Directors, for shareholders’ consideration and 
voting. All resolutions put forward at shareholders’ meetings will be voted by poll pursuant to the Listing Rules and the poll 
results will be published on the website of the Stock Exchange at “www.hkexnews.hk” and the website of the Company at 
“www.csair.com” after the relevant shareholders’ meetings.

Extraordinary general meetings may be convened by the Board on written requisition of shareholder(s) individually or jointly 
holding 10% or more of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares carrying voting rights pursuant to Article 79(3) of 
the Articles of Association. Such requisition must be stated in the agenda to be addressed in general meeting and signed 
by the applicant and then reported to the Board and Company Secretary of the Company in written form. Shareholders 
should follow the requirements and procedures as set out in such Article for convening an extraordinary general meeting.

For putting forward any enquiry to the Board, shareholders may send written enquiries to the Company. Shareholders may 
send their enquiries or requests in respect of their rights as mentioned above to the Board Office of the Company or via 
email as set out in the above section headed “Communications with shareholders and investors and investor relations”.

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MARKET CONCEPT

Focus on Quality Development and
Connotative Development

CORPORATE BOND

I.  Basic Information of Corporate Bond

Unit: RMB million

Name

Abbreviation Code

Issuance date

Maturity date

Outstanding 
balance of 
bonds

Interest  
Rate (%)

Repayment of 
principal and 
interest

2019 corporate bonds publicly 
offered of China Southern 
Airlines Company Limited (the 
second tranche)

2019 corporate bonds publicly 
offered of China Southern 
Airlines Company Limited (the 
first tranche)

2018 corporate bonds publicly 
offered of China Southern 
Airlines Company Limited (the 
first tranche)

2015 corporate bonds of China 
Southern Airlines Company 
Limited (the first tranche)

2016 corporate bonds of China 
Southern Airlines Company 
Limited (the second tranche)

2019 corporate bonds publicly 
offered of Xiamen Airlines 
Company Limited (the first 
tranche)

19 China 

155417

16 May 2019

17 May 2022

2,000

3.72

Southern 
Airlines 02

19 China 

155185

21 February 2019

22 February 2022

3,000

3.45

Southern 
Airlines 01

18 China 

155052

26 November 2018 27 November 2021 2,000

3.92

Southern 
Airlines 01

15 China 

136053

20 November 2015 20 November 2020 2,654.98

4.15

Southern 
Airlines 01

16 China 

136452

25 May 2016

25 May 2021

149.417

3.70

Southern 
Airlines 02

19 Xiamen 

163004

20 November 2019 20 November 2022 1,500

3.58

Airlines 01

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Pay interests once 
a year, pay back 
principal plus 
interests when 
due

Trading floor

SSE

SSE

SSE

SSE

SSE

SSE

Repayment of Principal and Interest of Corporate Bonds

On 3 March 2019 (being a rest day and accordingly postponed to 4 March 2019), the Company settled the principal 
and interests of 2016 corporate bonds of China Southern Airlines Company Limited (the first tranche) during the period 
from 3 March 2018 to 2 March 2019. The coupon rate was 2.97%. The carrying amount of each lot of bonds is 
RMB1,000. The payment of principal of each lot of bonds is RMB1,000, the total amount of the payment of principal is 
RMB5,000,000,000. Interests of RMB29.70 (including tax) was paid for each lot of bonds.

On 25 May 2019 (being a rest day and accordingly postponed to 27 May 2019), the Company settled the interests of 
2016 corporate bonds of China Southern Airlines Company Limited (the second tranche) during the period from 25 May 
2018 to 24 May 2019. The coupon rate was 3.12%. For each lot of bonds with a carrying amount of RMB1,000, interests 
of RMB31.20 (including tax) was paid.

On 20 November 2019, the Company settled the interest of 2015 corporate bonds of China Southern Airlines Company 
Limited (the first tranche) during the period from 20 November 2018 to19 November 2019. The coupon rate was 4.15%. 
For each lot of bonds with a carrying amount of RMB1,000, interests of RMB41.50 (including tax) was paid.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 27 November 2019, The Company settled the interest of 2018 corporate bonds of China Southern Airlines Company 
Limited (the first tranche) during the period from 27 November 2018 to 26 November 2019. The coupon rate was 3.92%. 
For each lot of bonds with a carrying amount of RMB1,000, interests of RMB39.20 (including tax) was paid.

II.  Credit Enhancement Mechanism, Debt Repayment Plan and Other Related 

Information of Corporate Bonds During the Reporting Period

During the reporting period, there was no credit enhancement mechanism for corporate bonds of the Company.

Debt Repayment Plan:

The interest date of “15 China Southern Airlines 01” corporate bonds was 20 November 2015. The interests of the bonds 
of the Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment 
of principal, the interest date is 20 November of each year from 2016 to 2020. On 20 November 2018, part of investors 
exercised the option for redemption. Then the interest date to redeem this portion of the bonds will be on 20 November 
annually from 2016 to 2018 and the repayment date of the bonds is 20 November 2018. The remaining outstanding 
portion of bonds will pay the principal and last period interest on 20 November 2020. If the interest date is a legal holiday 
day or rest day, it shall be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each 
payment of interests during the postponed period.

The interest date of “16 China Southern Airlines 02” corporate bonds was 25 May 2016. The interests of the bonds of 
the Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment 
of principal, the interest date is 25 May of each year from 2017 to 2021. In 25 May 2019, part of investors exercised the 
option for redemption. Then the interest date to redeem this portion of the bonds will be on 25 May annually from 2017 
to 2019 and the repayment date of the bonds is 25 May 2019. The remaining outstanding portion of bonds will pay the 
interest in 25 May of each year from 2020 to 2021, and pay the the principal and interest on 25 May 2021. If the interest 
date is a legal holiday day or rest day, it shall be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated 
separately for each payment of interests during the postponed period.

The interest date of “18 China Southern Airlines 01” corporate bonds was 27 November 2018. The interests of the bonds 
of the Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment 
of principal, the interest period is from 27 November 2018 to 26 November 2021. If the interest date is a legal holiday day 
or rest day, it shall be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of 
interests during the postponed period. The principal is repaid in a lump sum on maturity. The repayment date of “18 China 
Southern Airlines 01” corporate bonds is 27 November 2021. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or rest day, it shall 
be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of interests during the 
postponed period.

The interest date of “19 China Southern Airlines 01” corporate bonds was 22 February 2019. The interests of the bonds 
of the Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment 
of principal, the interest period is from 22 February 2020 to 22 February 2022. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or 
rest day, it shall be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of 
interests during the postponed period. The principal is repaid in a lump sum on maturity. The repayment date of “19 China 
Southern Airlines 01” corporate bonds is 22 February 2022. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or rest day, it shall be 
postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of interests during the 
postponed period.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportCorporate Bond

The interest date of “19 China Southern Airlines 02” corporate bonds was 17 May 2019. The interests of the bonds of 
the Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment 
of principal, the interest period is from 17 May 2020 to 17 May 2022. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or rest 
day, it shall be postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of 
interests during the postponed period. The principal is repaid in a lump sum on maturity. The repayment date of “19 China 
Southern Airlines 02” corporate bonds is 17 May 2022. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or rest day, it shall be 
postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of interests during the 
postponed period.

The interest date of “19 Xiamen Airlines 01” corporate bonds was 20 November 2019. The interests of the bonds of the 
Company is paid once each year since the interest date, the last period interest is paid together with the repayment of 
principal, the interest date is 20 November of each year from 2020 to 2022, respectively. The repayment date of “19 
Xiamen Airlines 01” corporate bonds is 20 November 2022. If the interest date is a legal holiday day or rest day, it shall be 
postponed to the first following trading day; no interest is calculated separately for each payment of interests during the 
postponed period.

The principal redemption and interest payment of the above corporate bonds will be handled by the registration authority 
and relevant institutions. The specific matters of principal redemption and interest payment will be explained in the 
relevant announcements issued by the Company in the designated media of the CSRC in accordance with relevant state 
regulations.

Other debt repayment protection measures for the above corporate bonds: ① set up a special repayment working 
group; ② set up special accounts and strictly implement the fund management plan; ③ formulate bondholders’ meeting 
rules; ④ give full play to the role of bond trustee; ⑤ implement strict information disclosure. In addition, the Company 
undertakes that in the event that it is not expected to pay the principal and interest of the bonds on time or fails to pay 
the principal and interest of the bonds, the Company will at least take the following measures: ① not to distribute profits 
to shareholders; ② limit the Company’s debt and the scale of external guarantees; and ③ restrict the Company’s material 
external investment.

118

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceIII.  Interest Payment and Encashment of Other Bonds and Debt Financing 

Instruments of the Company

Name

Maturity  
(Encashment) date

Encashment

The fifth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

27 January 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2018

RMB1,006,410,958.90 were fully paid

The sixth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

27 April 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2018

RMB1,015,189,041.10 were fully paid

The seventh tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

29 April 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2018

RMB507,643,835.62 were fully paid

The third tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

22 May 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2019

RMB502,773,972.60 were fully paid

The fifteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

10 July 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB500,942,622.95 were fully paid

The twelfth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

19 July 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB1,003,868,852.46 were fully paid

The first tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

21 July 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2019

RMB2,025,643,835.62 were fully paid

The fourth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

26 July 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2018

RMB1,536,061,643.84 were fully paid

The thirteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

26 July 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB501,853,825.14 were fully paid

The eighteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills 

14 August 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

of the Company in 2019

RMB1,502,569,672.13 were fully paid

The fourth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

20 August 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB2,025,150,684.93 were fully paid

The seventeenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills 

23 August 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

of the Company in 2019

RMB501,980,874.32 were fully paid

The sixth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

24 August 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2019

RMB506,095,890.41 were fully paid

The twenty-first tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills 

20 September 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

of the Company in 2019

RMB1,505,181,967.21 were fully paid

The nineteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills 

11 October 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

of the Company in 2019

RMB502,945,355.19 were fully paid

The eighth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

15 October 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB1,011,557,377.05 were fully paid

The twenty-second tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing 

18 October 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Bills of the Company in 2019

RMB502,878,415.30 were fully paid

The tenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

22 October 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2019

RMB1,011,311,475.41 were fully paid

The second tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

22 October 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB2,040,684,931.51 were fully paid

The fourteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills 

22 November 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

of the Company in 2019

RMB506,165,983.61 were fully paid

The fifth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of the 

25 November 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

Company in 2019

RMB1,019,602,739.73 were fully paid

The seventh tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

20 December 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB1,016,904,371.58 were fully paid

The sixteenth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

20 December 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB1,013,860,655.74were fully paid

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Bond

Name

Maturity  
(Encashment) date

Encashment

The twentieth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

20 December 2019

The principal and interests totaling 

the Company in 2019

RMB505,505,464.48 were fully paid

The first tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

16 August 2019

The principal and interests totalling 

Xiamen Airlines in 2019

RMB504,483,333.33 were fully paid

The first tranche of medium-term notes of Xiamen Airlines 

17 August 2019

The principal and interests totalling 

in 2016

RMB1,338,610,000.00 were fully paid

The second tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

12 September 2019

The principal and interests totalling 

Xiamen Airlines in 2019

RMB606,868,032.79 were fully paid

The fourth tranche of Ultra-short-term Financing Bills of 

10 October 2019

The principal and interests totalling 

Xiamen Airlines in 2019

The second tranche of medium-term notes of Xiamen 

21 October 2019

Airlines in 2016

RMB405,197,814.21 were fully paid
The interests totalling RMB49,760,000.00 

were fully paid

The third tranche of medium-term notes of Xiamen Airlines 

22 November 2019

The principal and interests totalling 

in 2016

RMB1,860,840,000.00 were fully paid

IV.  Banking Facilities of the Company During the Reporting Period

As at 31 December 2019, the Group has obtained banking facilities of up to RMB308.343 billion from several domestic 
banks, among which the utilised banking facilities amounted to about RMB57.178 billion and the unutilisated amount was 
about RMB251.165 billion. During the reporting period, the Group repaid bank loans of approximately RMB50.374 billion.

120

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL

The Board is responsible for maintaining sound and effective risk management and internal control systems, and reviewing 
its effectiveness to ensure the safety of shareholder investment and corporate assets. The risk management and internal 
control systems are designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can 
only provide reasonable but not absolute assurance.

The Board has existing process to identify, assess and manage major risks to which the Company is exposed. It is part 
of the process to renew the risk management and internal control systems in case of changes in operating environment 
or regulation. The Board has conducted a review of, and is satisfied with the effectiveness of the Company’s risk 
management and internal control systems for the financial year ended 31 December 2019.

I.  Disclaimer On Internal Control And The Establishment of Internal Control 

System

The Board is responsible for establishing robust internal control system and effectively implementing such internal control 
system, evaluating its effectiveness, accurately disclosing the assessment report on the relevant internal control. The 
objectives of the internal control system are to the legitimacy and compliance of operating management, the safety of 
assets, and the truthfulness and completeness of financial report and relevant information, to improve the operation 
efficiency and effectiveness, and to promote the realization of development strategies of the Company. Given the inherent 
limitations of the internal control system, only reasonable assurance can be provided for the above objectives.

The Board has carried out self-assessment on the effective of relevant internal control in accordance with the “Basic 
Standard for Enterprise Internal Control” and its supporting guidelines, and has considered them effective as at 31 
December 2019 (being the base date of assessment report) and free from significant or important deficiencies in internal 
control on financial reporting. In addition, no significant or important deficiencies in internal control on non-financial 
reporting were identified.

II.  Particulars of The Audit Report On The Company’s Internal Control

KPMG Huazhen LLP was engaged by the Company to conduct an audit on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting in accordance with the related requirements of PRC “Guidelines for Audit of Enterprise 
Internal Control” and “China Standards on Auditing and Quality Control” and issued an unqualified audit report.

For details of the audit report on the Company’s internal control, please visit the website of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

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Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportRisk Management and Internal Control

III.  Implementation of Evaluation of Internal Control

1.  Organizational structure of internal control

The Company adopts the decentralized management of internal control, and has set out the linear management 
structure composed of the Board, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Comprehensive Risk and Internal Control 
Management Committee, Internal Control Team, and business units and departments, which is shown as follows:

The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the final achievements, and submitting annual statement on 
risk management and internal control systems. Audit and Risk Management Committee is responsible for reviewing 
and listening to the development of internal control construction and approving the final results of internal control. 
The Comprehensive Risk and Internal Control Management Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the 
project plans and achievements in each progress, and reviewing the management and decision-making of material 
matters in the implementation process of the items to identify major defects. The Internal Control Team is responsible 
for the specific organization and implementation of the items. All business units and departments are responsible for 
maintaining their respective internal control measures on-going and effective, describing and updating their respective 
business processes and control points, identifying the record documents, recognizing the significant control 
measures, and organizing the rectification of defects.

Board

Audit and Risk Management Committee

Comprehensive Risk and Internal Control 
Management Committee

Internal Control Team

Business units and departments

2.  Evaluation procedures of internal control

Based on the internal control framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the U.S. Treadway 
Commission (“COSO”), the evaluation of internal control of the Company is designed on five components of internal 
control, and fully complies with relevant requirement of U.S. Sarbanes – Oxley Act, PRC Standard Regulations on 
Corporate Internal Control and its supporting guidelines and the Listing Rules in 2016. In order to further enhance the 
quality of internal control, the Company employed a professional independent third-party institution for guidance.

The Company has determined the content involved in the evaluation of internal control in the qualitative and 
quantitative principles, mainly including the Company-level internal control framework and the internal control at the 
level of business process. The Company-level internal control framework is based on the five components set down 
by the COSO, namely control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and 
monitoring. The level of business process fully reflects the industrial characteristics of aviation transport enterprises. 
The evaluation content covers the information related to both financial reports and non-financial reports, and the 
evaluated units include the Company itself and all of its branches (subsidiaries), bases and extending to professional 
companies and joint ventures.

122

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate GovernanceThe Company performs the annual evaluation of internal control in the flow of plan, record, test, rectification and 
report stages.

Firstly, the internal control at the level of the Company and the business process is recorded and updated by means 
of interview, questionnaire, etc. in order to identify and analyze the risks. The walk-through test is performed to 
evaluate the effectiveness of the design of internal control. Secondly, the risks are marked and ranked to determine 
areas with high, moderate and low risks and screen out key risk control points by combing the risk control points. 
These key risk control points are tested twice a year by means of observation, interview, re-calculation, inspection, 
confirmation, knowledge evaluation, system inquiry, etc. so as to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of 
internal control.

In case of any defects of the internal control, the Company will analyze the cause of such defects, put forward 
rectification opinions and management suggestions and urge the process principal concerned to develop effective 
rectification measures and implement the same for rectification purposes to eventually achieve effective risk control. 
Once great or major defects of internal control are found, they will be reported to the Comprehensive Risk and 
Internal Control Management Committee without delay.

3.  Key features of the evaluation of internal control

With years of accumulation, the evaluation of internal control of the Company has gradually developed the working 
method and characteristics adapted to the management pattern of the Company. Firstly, the management structure 
has defined responsibility, clear division of work and clear path of reporting complying with the listing regulatory 
requirements in the US, mainland China and Hong Kong. Secondly, the evaluation covers most organization, relates 
to full processes and has a complete set of basic data.

IV.  Summary of Risk Management And Internal Control

The Board recognizes its responsibility for supervising the risk management and internal control system of the Group and 
reviews the effectiveness of the same at least once a year by the Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Audit 
and Risk Management Committee assists the Board in performing its role in supervising finance, operation, compliance, 
risk management and internal monitoring as well as financial and internal audit function resources of the Group and in 
corporate governance. The Group has the internal audit function.

Based on the disclosure above, appropriate policies and monitoring have been established and formulated to ensure 
that the encumbered assets will not be used or disposed of without approval and comply with and abide by relevant 
laws, regulations and rules. Reliable financial and accounting records are kept in accordance with the relevant accounting 
standards and regulatory requirements. Major risks with potential effect on the performance of the Group are properly 
identified and managed. The system and the internal control can only make a reasonable but not absolute guarantee to 
prevent major misrepresentations or losses, which are designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failing to meet 
business objectives.

The Company regulates the processing and issuance of inside information in accordance with a number of inside 
information disclosure procedures to ensure the proper maintenance of confidentiality prior to the disclosure of such 
information and to publish such information in an efficient and consistent manner.

As disclosed above, the Audit and Risk Management Committee held 14 meetings in 2019, where the risk management 
and internal control systems of the Group were reviewed. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Board has 
conducted through the Audit and Risk Management Committee an annual review of the effectiveness of the risk 
management and internal control systems of the Group covering all significant financial, operating and compliance controls, 
and considers the risk management and internal control of the Group is effective and adequate.

123

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportSOCIAL  
RESPONSIBILITY

Passengers choose to travel with China Southern Airlines, 
that’s because they have infinite trust in China Southern 
Airlines, which is also an inexhaustible motive force for 
China Southern Airlines to continuously optimize its 
services. China Southern Airlines is dedicated to providing 
comfortable aviation and ground services with “affinity and 
refinement”, as well as professional, efficient, safe and 
fast passenger and cargo services, delivering warmth and 
pleasure in each service and creating value for passengers.

Put safety first and maintain stability. Safety is always 
the lifeline of development, the highest political principle, 
the greatest benefit and the best service. We thoroughly 
implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s 
important instructions, continuously complied with 26 
measures of CAAC and 34 measures of China Southern 
Airlines, innovated the “red book” and “blue book” system, 
achieved safe flight of 2.951 million hours throughout the 
year, with the incident rate per 10,000 hours of 0.0088, 
maintaining our leading position in the industry in terms of 
safety performance.

Serve with warmth and considerateness, impressing 
customers with love. We always put the interests and 
experiences of our customers first, and strive to provide 
our customers sincere service with warmth and sentient. 
We proposed service orientation “affinity and refinement”, 
conducted special service quality improvement, attached 
importance to key issues such as hub service, flight delay 
service and luggage service, and continuously improved 
service quality. Throughout the year, in terms of flight 
punctuality rate, China Southern Airlines maintained its 
leading position in the industry.

Practicing green development and protecting our earth. 
Climate change is a global challenge. China Southern 
Airlines regards tackling climate change as its obligated 
responsibility and always considers green development 
as one of its core principles. By virtue of technological 
optimization, management improvement and big data 
analysis and other methods, we have continuously 
improved the efficiency of fuel use and reduced greenhouse 
gas emissions. Thereinto, China Southern Airlines had 

124

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Corporate Governanceindependently developed an “Aviation Fuel e-Cloud” real-
time big data sharing platform, by which, it is expected 
to reduce the waste of aviation fuel by approximately 
1,500 tons per year. Therefore, China Southern Airlines 
was invited by IATA to participate in the formulation of 
global aviation fuel data standards and provide Chinese 
proposal for the formulation of global aviation data 
standards. In addition, China Southern Airlines also made 
many innovations. We used bio-jet fuel to perform trans-
continental flight mission for the first time, and promoted 
the first 10,000-ton EU carbon quota and Guangdong 
carbon quota swap transaction in the world.

Valuing our staff and sharing development achievements. 
Staff are one of China Southern Airlines’ most valuable 
resources. During the year, we initiated the reform of the 
compensation system with the goal of “mobility in either 

way, compensation adjustment, and appointment and 
dismissal”, so as to stimulate the vitality of our staff and 
share the benefits from the reform and development with 
our staff. We established a unified training plan, enhanced 
the top-level design training, and helped cadres and staff 
to grow and develop. We concerned about the lives of 
our staff and actively offered mutual aid fund for sick staff, 
families in difficulty and other special groups.

Paying back the society and transmitting warm strength. 
We know that China Southern Airlines’ achievements 
come from the support of all sectors of society, and it is 
our responsibility to give back to the society. During the 
year, we responded to the request of “winning the fight 
against poverty” in China and carried out poverty alleviation 
in Pishan County and Moyu County in Xinjiang, invested 
RMB35.93 million in aid funds throughout the year and 
sent 77 temporary and resident poverty alleviation cadres 
to help the local people get rid of poverty and become 
prosperous. We have launched 102 routes along “The Belt 
and Road”, actively integrated into overseas communities, 
and helped the countries along “The Belt and Road” realize 
connectivity in facilities, trade and culture. We actively 
conducted special flights, voluntary public welfare and 
other activities, giving full play to our own resources and 
expertise and striving to give back to the society.

Details of the Company’s work as to performing its 
corporate social responsibility can be found in China 
Southern Airlines Company Limited’s Corporate Social 
Responsibility Report 2019 published on the website of the 
Stock Exchange on 30 March 2020.

125

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report“AFFINITY AND 
REFINEMENT” SERVICE

PASSPORTTicketBOOK  ONLINE09:25EconomyBusinessFirst13:25PEKTYOFulfil Sincere Service Concept 

Systematically Improved

the Whole Process Service

Experience of Passengers

PASSPORTTicketBOOK  ONLINE09:25EconomyBusinessFirst13:25PEKTYOPASSPORTTicketBOOK  ONLINE09:25EconomyBusinessFirst13:25PEKTYOIndependent auditor’s report to the shareholders of
China Southern Airlines Company Limited
(Incorporated in the People’s Republic of China with limited liability)

Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of China Southern Airlines Company Limited (“the Company”) and 
its subsidiaries (“the Group”) set out on pages 133 to 240, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position 
as at 31 December 2019, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the 
consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated cash flow statement for the year then ended and notes to 
the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of the 
Group as at 31 December 2019 and of its consolidated financial performance and its consolidated cash flows for the year 
then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (“IASB”) and have been properly prepared in compliance with the disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong 
Companies Ordinance.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”) issued by the International 
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s 
responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group 
in accordance with International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (“IESBA 
Code”) together with any ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in the 
People’s Republic of China, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and 
the IESBA Code. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion.

128

China Southern Airlines Company Limited INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORTFinancial ReportKey audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion 
on these matters.

Assessment of the standalone selling price for mileage awarded

Refer to note 2(y)(ii), note 3(d), note 5, note 40, note 42 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Key Audit Matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

The Group allocates the transaction price in relation to 
mileage earning flights between the flight and mileage 
awarded on relative standalone selling prices. The Group 
estimates the standalone selling price of mileage awarded 
through mileage earning flights based on inputs and 
assumptions derived from historical data, including the 
estimates on the percentage of mileage awarded that are 
expected to be redeemed (“expected redemption rate”). 
The mileage awarded are recognised in contract liabilities, 
and subsequently recognised as revenue when the mileage 
is redeemed and the related benefits are received or used. 
The Group’s contract liabilities relating to unredeemed 
mileage awarded was RMB3,331 million as of 31 December 
2019, and the associated revenue for mileage awarded was 
RMB2,359 million for the year ended 31 December 2019.

We identified assessment of the standalone selling price 
for mileage awarded as a key audit matter because of the 
high degree of subjective judgment required to evaluate the 
assumptions involved in such assessment, in particular the 
expected redemption rates which take into consideration 
expected future mileage redemption patterns.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key 
audit matter included the following.

•  We tested certain internal controls over the key 

assumptions utilized in the estimation of the 
standalone selling price for mileage awarded;

•  We evaluated the Group’s methodology in developing 
the standalone selling price for mileage awarded and 
compared the assumptions underlying the expected 
redemption rates with those of historical periods;

•  We compared the Group’s estimate of the standalone 
selling price of mileage awarded to the contractual 
rates at which mileages are sold to other airlines and 
bank partners;

•  We compared the expected redemption rates to 
historical experience of mileage redemption;

•  We assessed the impact of changes in the terms 

of the mileage programs and customer behavior on 
expected redemption rates;

•  We assessed the Group’s ability to accurately forecast 
by comparing the historical estimate of mileage 
redemption to actual redemption of mileages; and

•  We performed sensitivity analysis over the expected 
redemption rates to assess its impact on the 
associated revenue for mileage awarded.

129

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
Key audit matters (continued)
Evaluation of discount rate and return overhaul costs used to measure right-of-use assets relating to aircraft

Refer to note 2(b), note 2(k), note 3(c), note 21 and note 37 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Key Audit Matter

How the matter was addressed in our audit

The carrying value of the Group’s right-of-use (ROU) assets 
relating to aircraft was in the amount of RMB147,491 million 
as of 31 December 2019. The ROU assets relating to 
aircraft consist primarily of lease payments over the term of 
the leases and an estimate of cost of overhauls to restore 
the underlying assets to the agreed conditions at the end of 
the lease term (“return overhaul costs”), discounted to the 
present value.

The primary procedures we performed to address this key 
audit matter included the following:

•  We tested certain internal controls over the Group’s 

process for determining return overhaul costs and 
discount rate used to measure the ROU assets 
relating to aircraft;

We identified the evaluation of discount rate and return 
overhaul costs used to measure ROU assets relating 
to aircraft as a key audit matter because the evaluation 
required a high degree of subjective judgment since minor 
changes in the discount rate and the return overhaul costs 
may have a significant impact on the measurement of the 
Group’s ROU assets.

•  We evaluated the Group’s estimates of return 

overhaul costs by comparing them to the historical 
maintenance costs. We also considered the terms of 
lease agreements and the overhaul cycles of airframes 
of the same or similar type of aircraft in the evaluation 
of return overhaul costs;

•  We assessed the Group’s ability to accurately 
estimate return overhaul costs by performing a 
comparison of the actual return overhaul costs with 
prior period estimates;

•  We also performed sensitivity analyses over the 

discount rate and return overhaul costs to assess 
their impact on the measurement of ROU assets 
relating to aircraft; and

•  We involved our internal professionals with skills and 

knowledge on valuation, who assisted in evaluating 
the discount rate used in the measurement, by 
comparing it against a discount rate range that was 
independently developed using both internal data and 
publicly available industry data.

130

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportIndependent Auditor’s Report 
 
 
 
Information other than the consolidated financial statements and 
auditor’s report thereon
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises all the information included in the 
annual report, other than the consolidated financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, 
in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our 
knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of the directors for the consolidated financial 
statements
The directors are responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in 
accordance with IFRSs issued by the IASB and the disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and for 
such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but 
to do so.

The directors are assisted by the Audit Committee in discharging their responsibilities for overseeing the Group’s financial 
reporting process.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. This 
report is made solely to you, as a body and for no other purpose. We do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability 
to any other person for the contents of this report.

Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs 
will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered 
material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users 
taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism 
throughout the audit. We also:

• 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is 
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations 
or the override of internal control.

131

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial ReportAuditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial 
statements (continued)
• 

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
control.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 
disclosures made by the directors.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the 
audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant 
doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are 
required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if 
such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up 
to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a 
going concern.

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the 
disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a 
manner that achieves fair presentation.

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities 
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, 
supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with the Audit Committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide the Audit Committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence and communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence and, where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with the Audit Committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the 
audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these 
matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 
circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of 
doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Chung Kai Ming.

KPMG
Certified Public Accountants

8th Floor, Prince’s Building
10 Chater Road
Central, Hong Kong

30 March 2020

132

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportIndependent Auditor’s ReportCONSOLIDATED 
INCOME STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Operating revenue
Traffic revenue
Other operating revenue

Total operating revenue

Operating expenses
Flight operation expenses
Maintenance expenses
Aircraft and transportation service expenses
Promotion and selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment
Others

Total operating expenses

Other net income

Operating profit

Interest income
Interest expense
Share of associates’ results
Share of joint ventures’ results
Exchange loss, net
Changes in fair value of financial assets / liabilities
Remeasurement of the originally held equity interests in a joint venture

Profit before income tax
Income tax

Profit for the year

Profit attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Basic and diluted

Note

5

7
8
9
10
11
12
19

14

15
24
25
36(d)
28

16

18

18

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

148,117
6,205

154,322

70,566
13,057
26,591
7,755
4,073
24,620
18
1,928

148,608

5,124

10,838

74
(5,845)
(178)
365
(1,477)
265
13

4,055
(971)

3,084

2,640
444

3,084

138,064
5,559

143,623

76,216
12,704
24,379
7,036
3,770
14,308
–
1,829

140,242

5,438

8,819

125
(3,202)
263
200
(1,853)
12
–

4,364
(1,000)

3,364

2,895
469

3,364

RMB0.22

RMB0.27

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

133

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income:
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
– Equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive  
income – net movement in fair value reserve (non-recycling)

– Share of other comprehensive income of an associate
– Deferred tax relating to above items

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
– Cash flow hedge: fair value movement of derivative financial assets
– Differences resulting from the translation of foreign currency  

financial statements

– Deferred tax relating to above items

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income for the year

2019
RMB million

3,084

2018
RMB million
(Note)

3,364

Note

17

(31)
3
7

(72)

(7)
17

(83)

3,001

2,552
449

3,001

319
(4)
(80)

29

(2)
(7)

255

3,619

3,048
571

3,619

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

134

For the year ended 31 December 2019China Southern Airlines Company Limited CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
FINANCIAL POSITION

At 31 December 2019 

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Construction in progress
Right-of-use assets
Lease prepayments
Goodwill
Interest in associates
Interest in joint ventures
Aircraft lease deposits
Other equity instrument investments
Other non-current financial assets
Derivative financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Other assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted bank deposits
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other financial assets
Derivative financial assets
Assets held for sale
Amounts due from related companies

Current liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Current portion of obligations under finance leases
Trade payables
Contract liabilities
Sales in advance of carriage
Current income tax
Amounts due to related companies
Accrued expenses
Other liabilities

Note

19
20
21

22
24
25

26
26
27
29(b)
30

31
32
33
34

26
27
35
43

27
36
37
38
39
40
41

43
44
45

31 December
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million
(Note)

84,788
39,222
153,211
–
237
3,322
3,124
457
1,049
106
3
2,692
1,979

290,190

1,893
3,152
7,860
1,849
102
1,591
–
218
–
73

16,738

–
37,543
19,998
–
2,317
1,610
10,303
563
170
15,745
7,241

95,490

170,692
37,791
–
2,970
237
3,181
2,812
594
1,080
103
75
1,566
1,776

222,877

1,699
2,901
8,015
6,928
116
3,659
440
–
224
90

24,072

44
38,741
–
9,555
2,309
1,693
8,594
369
127
15,682
6,573

83,687

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities

(78,752)

211,438

(59,615)

163,262

135

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At 31 December 2019

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Obligations under finance leases
Other non-current liabilities
Provision for major overhauls
Provision for early retirement benefits
Deferred benefits and gains
Deferred tax liabilities

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Note

36
37
38
42
46
47
48
29(b)

49

31 December
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million
(Note)

13,637
114,076
–
1,782
3,542
–
833
239

134,109

77,329

12,267
51,839

64,106
13,223

77,329

15,676
–
62,666
2,036
2,831
2
906
676

84,793

78,469

12,267
52,990

65,257
13,212

78,469

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 March 2020.

Wang Chang Shun
Director 

Ma Xu Lun
Director

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

136

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportConsolidated Statement of Financial Position (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 31 December 2019

Attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

Share 
capital
(Note 49)

Other 
reserves
(Note 50(e))
RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million

Share 
premium
(Note 50(b))

Retained 
earnings

Total 
equity

Total

Non-
controlling 
interests

Fair value 
reserve 
(recycling)
(Note 50(c))

Fair value 
reserve 
(non-
recycling)
(Note 50(d))

Balance at  

1 January 2018

Changes in equity for 

2018:

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive income
Appropriations to reserves
Dividends relating to 2017
Issuance of shares
Capital injection by non-
controlling interests in 
subsidiaries

Changes in other reserves
Distributions to non-
controlling interests

Balance at 31 December 

2018 (Note)

Impact on initial application 
of IFRS 16 (Note 2(b))

Adjusted balance at  
1 January 2019

Changes in equity for 

2019:

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income

Total comprehensive income
Appropriations to reserves 

(Note 50(e))

Dividends relating to 2018 

(Note 50(a))

Acquisition of non-controlling 
interests in a subsidiary
Change in other reserves
Distributions to non-
controlling interests

Balance at  

10,088

15,182

–

–

–
–
–
2,179

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
10,470

–
–

–

12,267

25,652

–

–

12,267

25,652

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

31 December 2019

12,267

25,652

35

–

22

22
–
–
–

–
–

–

57

–

57

–

(55)

(55)

–

–

–
–

–

2

303

2,684

22,273

50,565

12,668

63,233

–

133

133
–
–
–

–
–

–

436

–

436

–

(27)

(27)

–

–

–
–

–

–

(2)

(2)
221
–
–

–
4

–

2,895

–

2,895
(221)
(1,009)
–

–
–

–

2,895

153

3,048
–
(1,009)
12,649

–
4

–

469

102

571
–
–
–

72
–

(99)

3,364

255

3,619
–
(1,009)
12,649

72
4

(99)

2,907

23,938

65,257

13,212

78,469

(272)

(2,852)

(3,124)

(338)

(3,462)

2,635

21,086

62,133

12,874

75,007

–

(6)

(6)

181

–

(10)
44

–

2,640

2,640

(181)

(613)

–
–

–

2,640

(88)

2,552

–

(613)

(10)
44

–

444

5

449

–

–

(14)
–

(86)

3,084

(83)

3,001

–

(613)

(24)
44

(86)

409

2,844

22,932

64,106

13,223

77,329

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

137

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
Cash generated from operating activities
Interest received
Interest paid
Income tax paid

Note

34(b)

Net cash generated from operating activities

Investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and land 

23(iii)&(iv)

use right

Proceeds from disposal of other financial assets
Acquisition of other financial assets
Dividends received from associates
Dividends received from joint ventures
Dividends received from other investments in equity and other  

non-current financial assets
Acquisition of term deposits
Proceeds from maturity of term deposits
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and other assets
Capital injection into an associate
Acquisition of an associate
Payments for aircraft lease deposits
Refunds of aircraft lease deposits

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Dividends paid to equity shareholders of the Company
Proceeds from issuance of shares
Proceeds from bank borrowings
Proceeds from corporate bonds
Proceeds from issuance of ultra-short-term financing bills
Repayment of bank borrowings
Capital element of lease rentals paid
Repayment of principal under finance lease obligations
Repayment of ultra-short-term financing bills
Repayment of corporate bonds
Capital injections by non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

Net cash (used in) / generated from financing activities

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents

34(c)
34(c)
34(c)
34(c)
34(c)
34(c)
34(c)
34(c)

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

34(a)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

39,728
67
(7,014)
(1,606)

31,175

176

814
492
(50)
84
177

22
(43)
264
(15,622)
(500)
(386)
(6)
151

(14,427)

(613)
–
33,985
7,497
43,489
(50,374)
(17,784)
–
(25,000)
(12,951)
–
(82)

(21,833)

(5,085)
6,928
6

1,849

21,174
131
(4,255)
(1,662)

15,388

6

3,550
–
(440)
114
144

20
(264)
313
(24,033)
–
–
(53)
126

(20,517)

(1,009)
10,908
34,385
2,000
5,500
(34,260)
–
(10,433)
(1,500)
(345)
72
(98)

5,220

91
6,826
11

6,928

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

138

For the year ended 31 December 2019China Southern Airlines Company Limited CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

1  Corporate information

China Southern Airlines Company Limited (the “Company”), a joint stock limited company, was incorporated in the 
People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) on 25 March 1995. The address of the Company’s registered office is Unit 
301, 3/F, Office Tower, Guanhao Science Park Phase I, 12 Yuyan Street, Huangpu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 
Province, the PRC. The Company and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) are principally engaged in the operation of civil 
aviation, including the provision of passenger, cargo, mail delivery and other extended transportation services.

The Company’s majority interest is owned by China Southern Air Holding Limited Company (“CSAH”), a state-owned 
enterprise incorporated in the PRC.

The Company’s shares are traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and 
the New York Stock Exchange.

2  Significant accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with all applicable International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), which collective term includes all applicable individual IFRSs, International Accounting 
Standards (“IASs”) and Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the “IASB”). The 
consolidated financial statements also comply with the applicable disclosure requirements of the Hong Kong Companies 
Ordinance and the applicable disclosure provisions of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock 
Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Significant accounting policies adopted by the Group are disclosed below.

The IASB has issued certain new and revised IFRSs that are first effective for the current accounting period of the 
Group. Note 2(b) provides information on any changes in accounting policies resulting from initial application of these 
developments to the extent that they are relevant to the Group for the current accounting period reflected in these 
consolidated financial statements.

(a)  Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 comprise the Group and the Group’s 
interest in associates and joint ventures.

The measurement basis used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is the historical cost basis 
except that the following assets and liabilities are stated at their fair value as explained in the accounting policies set out 
below:

– 
– 
– 
– 

other equity instrument investments (see Note 2(f));
other non-current financial assets (see Note 2(f));
other financial assets (see Note 2(f)); and
derivative financial assets / liabilities (see Note 2(g)).

Non-current assets and disposal groups held for sale are stated at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell (see Note 2(r)).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to make judgements, estimates 
and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 
The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are 
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about 
carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from 
these estimates.

139

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(a)  Basis of preparation (continued)

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the 
revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Judgements made by management in the application of IFRSs that have significant effect on the financial statements 
and major sources of estimation uncertainty are discussed in Note 3.

(b)  Changes in accounting policies

The IASB has issued a new IFRS, IFRS 16, Leases, and a number of amendments to IFRSs that are first effective for 
the current accounting period of the Group.

Except for IFRS 16, Leases, none of the developments have had a material effect on how the Group’s results and 
financial position for the current or prior periods have been prepared or presented. The Group has not applied any new 
standard or interpretation that is not yet effective for the current accounting period.

IFRS 16, Leases

IFRS 16 replaces IAS 17, Leases, and the related interpretations, IFRIC 4, Determining whether an arrangement contains 
a lease, SIC 15, Operating leases – incentives, and SIC 27, Evaluating the substance of transactions involving the legal 
form of a lease. IFRS 16 introduces a single accounting model for lessees, which requires a lessee to recognise a right-
of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases, except for leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less (“short-
term leases”) and leases of low-value assets. The lessor accounting requirements are brought forward from IAS 17 
substantially unchanged.

IFRS 16 also introduces additional qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements which aim to enable users of the 
financial statements to assess the effect that leases have on the financial position, financial performance and cash flows 
of an entity.

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 as from 1 January 2019. The Group has elected to use the modified 
retrospective approach and has therefore recognised the cumulative effect of initial application as an adjustment to 
the opening balance of equity at 1 January 2019. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be 
reported under IAS 17.

Further details of the nature and effect of the changes to previous accounting policies and the transition options applied 
are set out below:

a.  New definition of a lease

The change in the definition of a lease mainly relates to the concept of control. IFRS 16 defines a lease on the 
basis of whether a customer controls the use of an identified asset for a period of time, which may be determined 
by a defined amount of use. Control is conveyed where the customer has both the right to direct the use of the 
identified asset and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from that use.

The Group applies the new definition of a lease in IFRS 16 only to contracts that were entered into or changed on 
or after 1 January 2019. For contracts entered into before 1 January 2019, the Group has used the transitional 
practical expedient to grandfather the previous assessment of which existing arrangements are or contain leases. 
Accordingly, contracts that were previously assessed as leases under IAS 17 continue to be accounted for as 
leases under IFRS 16 and contracts previously assessed as non-lease service arrangements continue to be 
accounted for as executory contracts.

140

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

b.  Lessee accounting and transitional impact

IFRS 16 eliminates the requirement for a lessee to classify leases as either operating leases or finance leases, as 
was previously required by IAS 17. Instead, the Group is required to capitalise all leases when it is the lessee, 
including leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17, other than those short-term leases and 
leases of low-value assets which are exempt. As far as the Group is concerned, these newly capitalised leases are 
primarily in relation to aircraft, flight equipment, buildings, machinery, equipment and vehicles as disclosed in Note 
21. The Group also has the right to occupy space, including airport terminals, cargo/catering facilities and lounges 
space, in and around airports under different types of leasing arrangements.

At the date of transition to IFRS 16 (i.e. 1 January 2019), the Group determined the length of the remaining lease 
terms and measured the lease liabilities for the leases previously classified as operating leases at the present 
value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the relevant incremental borrowing rates at 1 January 
2019. The incremental borrowing rates range used for determination of the present value of the remaining lease 
payments was 4.75%~4.90%.

Right-of-use assets are measured at either:

– 

– 

their carrying amount as if IFRS 16 had been applied since the commencement date, discounted using the 
lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application – the Group applied this approach to its 
aircraft and engine leases; or

an amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments – 
the Group applied this approach to all other leases.

To ease the transition to IFRS 16, the Group applied the following recognition exemption and practical expedients 
at the date of initial application of IFRS 16:

– 

– 

– 

– 

the Group elected not to apply the requirements of IFRS 16 in respect of the recognition of lease liabilities 
and right-of-use assets to leases for which the remaining lease term ends within 12 months from the date of 
initial application of IFRS 16, i.e. where the lease term ends on or before 31 December 2019;

excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use assets at the date of initial application;

when measuring the lease liabilities at the date of initial application of IFRS 16, the Group applied a single 
discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics (such as leases with a similar 
remaining lease term for a similar class of underlying asset in a similar economic environment); and

when measuring the right-of-use assets at the date of initial application of IFRS 16, the Group relied on 
the previous assessment for onerous contract provisions as at 31 December 2018 as an alternative to 
performing an impairment review.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

b.  Lessee accounting and transitional impact (continued)

The following table reconciles the operating lease commitments as disclosed in Note 51(b) as at 31 December 
2018 to the opening balance for lease liabilities recognised as at 1 January 2019:

Operating lease commitments at 31 December 2018
Less: commitments relating to leases exempt from capitalisation:
– short-term leases and other leases with remaining lease term ending  
on or before 31 December 2019 and leases of low-value assets

– leases contracts entered before 31 December 2018 but the lease period  

start after 1 January 2019

Less: total future interest expenses

Present value of remaining lease payments, discounted using the incremental  

borrowing rates at 1 January 2019

Add: finance lease liabilities recognised as at 31 December 2018

Total lease liabilities recognised at 1 January 2019

1 January 2019
RMB million

75,729

(924)

(16,612)

(10,037)

48,156

72,221

120,377

So far as the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on leases previously classified as finance leases is concerned, the 
Group is not required to make any adjustments at the date of initial application of IFRS 16, other than changing 
the captions for the balances. Accordingly, instead of “obligations under finance leases”, these amounts are 
included within “lease liabilities”, and the depreciated carrying amount of the corresponding leased assets is 
identified as right-of-use assets. There is no impact on the opening balance of equity.

142

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

b.  Lessee accounting and transitional impact (continued)

The following table summarises the impacts of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the Group’s consolidated statement of 
financial position:

Adoption of IFRS 16

Carrying 
amount at 
31 December 

2018 Remeasurement
RMB million

RMB million

Reclassification
RMB million

Carrying 
amount at 
1 January 
2019
RMB million

Line items in the consolidated statement 
of financial position impacted by the 
adoption of IFRS 16:

Property, plant and equipment, net
Right-of-use assets
Lease prepayments
Interest in associates
Deferred tax assets
Other assets

Total non-current assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets

170,692
–
2,970
3,181
1,566
1,776

222,877

3,659

24,072

–
45,437
–
(527)
717
–

45,627

(811)

(811)

Lease liabilities
Current portion of obligations under finance 

–

6,969

leases

Accrued expenses

Total current liabilities

Net current liabilities

9,555
15,682

83,687

59,615

–
(83)

6,886

7,697

(88,880)
91,914
(2,970)
–
–
(210)

81,812
137,351
–
2,654
2,283
1,566

(146)

268,358

–

–

9,952

(9,555)
(397)

–

–

2,848

23,261

16,921

–
15,202

90,573

67,312

Total assets less current liabilities

163,262

37,930

(146)

201,046

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

b.  Lessee accounting and transitional impact (continued)

The following table summarises the impacts of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the Group’s consolidated statement of 
financial position: (continued)

Adoption of IFRS 16

Carrying 
amount at 
31 December 

2018 Remeasurement
RMB million

RMB million

Reclassification
RMB million

Carrying 
amount at 
1 January 
2019
RMB million

–
62,666
2,831
906
676

84,793

78,469

52,990

65,257

13,212

78,469

40,790
–
780
–
(178)

41,392

(3,462)

(3,124)

(3,124)

(338)

(3,462)

62,666
(62,666)
–
(146)
–

103,456
–
3,611
760
498

(146)

126,039

–

–

–

–

–

75,007

49,866

62,133

12,874

75,007

Line items in the consolidated statement 
of financial position impacted by the 
adoption of IFRS 16:

Lease liabilities
Obligations under finance leases
Provision for major overhauls
Deferred benefits and gains
Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Net assets

Reserves

Total equity attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

c. 

Impact on the financial result and cash flows of the Group

After the initial recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as at 1 January 2019, the Group as a lessee 
is required to recognise interest expense accrued on the outstanding balance of the lease liabilities, and the 
depreciation of the right-of-use assets, instead of the previous policy of recognising rental expenses incurred 
under operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. This results in a positive impact on the 
reported operating profit and a negative impact on the profit before income tax in the Group’s consolidated 
income statement, as compared to the results if IAS 17 had been applied during the year.

In the cash flow statement, the Group as a lessee is required to split rentals paid under capitalised leases into their 
capital element and interest element (see Note 34(c)). The capital element is classified as financing cash outflows, 
similar to how leases previously classified as finance leases under IAS 17 were treated, rather than as operating 
cash outflows, as was the case for operating leases under IAS 17. Although total cash flows are unaffected, the 
adoption of IFRS 16 therefore results in a significant change in presentation of cash flows within the cash flow 
statement (see Note 34(d)).

144

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

c. 

Impact on the financial result and cash flows of the Group (continued)

The following tables give an indication of the estimated impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 on the Group’s financial 
result and cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2019, by adjusting the amounts reported under IFRS 16 
in these consolidated financial statements to compute estimates of the hypothetical amounts that would have 
been recognised under IAS 17 if this superseded standard had continued to apply to 2019 instead of IFRS 16, 
and by comparing these hypothetical amounts for 2019 with the actual 2018 corresponding amounts which were 
prepared under IAS 17.

2019

Add back: 
net effect 
between 
IAS 17 and 
IFRS 16 
relating to 
share of 
associates’ 
results
(C)
RMB million

Deduct: 
estimated 
amounts 
related to 
operating 
leases as 
if under 
IAS 17 
(Note (i))
(D)
RMB million

2018

Hypothetical 
amounts 
for 2019 
as if under 
IAS 17
(E=A+B+C-D)
RMB million

Compared 
to amounts 
reported for 
2018 under 
IAS 17

RMB million

Add back: 
IFRS 16 
depreciation, 
maintenance 
and interest 
expenses, net
(B)
RMB million

Amounts 
reported 
under 
IFRS 16
(A)
RMB million

10,838

(5,845)
(1,477)
(178)

4,055
3,084

7,580

2,380
756
–

10,716
10,716

–

–
–
216

216
216

9,491

–
–
–

9,491
9,491

8,927

(3,465)
(721)
38

5,496
4,525

8,819

(3,202)
(1,853)
263

4,364
3,364

Financial result for the year ended 

31 December 2019 impacted by the 
adoption of IFRS 16:

Operating profit

Interest expense
Exchange loss, net
Share of associates’ results

Profit before income tax
Profit for the year

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

c. 

Impact on the financial result and cash flows of the Group (continued)

2019

Estimated 
amounts 
related to 
operating 
leases as 
if under 
IAS 17 
(Notes (i) & (ii))
(B)
RMB million

Amounts 
reported 
under 
IFRS 16
(A)
RMB million

2018

Hypothetical 
amounts 
for 2019 
as if under 
IAS 17
(C=A+B)
RMB million

Compared to 
amounts 
reported for 
2018 under 
IAS 17

RMB million

39,728
(7,014)

31,175

(17,784)

(21,833)

(9,491)
2,380

(7,111)

7,111

7,111

30,237
(4,634)

24,064

21,174
(4,255)

15,388

(10,673)

(10,433)

(14,722)

5,220

Line items in the consolidated cash 

flow statement for the year ended 31 
December 2019 impacted by the adoption 
of IFRS 16:

Cash generated from operating activities
Interest paid
Net cash generated from operating 

activities

Capital element of lease rentals paid (Note (iii))
Net cash (used in) / generated from 

financing activities

Notes:

(i) 

The “estimated amounts related to operating leases” is an estimate of the amounts of the cash flows in 2019 that relate 
to leases which would have been classified as operating leases, if IAS 17 had still applied in 2019. This estimate assumes 
that there were no differences between rentals and cash flows and that all of the new leases entered into in 2019 would 
have been classified as operating leases under IAS 17, if IAS 17 had still applied in 2019. Any potential net tax effect is 
ignored.

(ii) 

(iii) 

In this impact table these cash outflows are reclassified from financing to operating in order to compute hypothetical 
amounts of net cash generated from operating activities and net cash used in financing activities as if IAS 17 still applied.

The capital element of finance leases under IAS 17 previously presented as “Repayment of principal under finance lease 
obligations” in 2018 consolidated cash flow statement.

146

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(b)  Changes in accounting policies (continued)

d. 

Investment properties

Under IFRS 16, the Group is required to account for all leasehold properties as investment properties when these 
properties are held to earn rental income and / or for capital appreciation (“leasehold investment properties”). The 
adoption of IFRS 16 does not have a significant impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements as the 
Group previously elected to apply IAS 40, Investment properties, to account for all of its leasehold properties that 
were held for investment purposes as at 31 December 2018.

e.  Lessor accounting

In addition to leasing out the investment property referred to in paragraph d. above, the Group leases out a 
number of items of consumable spare parts and maintenance materials as the lessor of operating leases. The 
accounting policies applicable to the Group as a lessor remain substantially unchanged from those under IAS 17.

Under IFRS 16, when the Group acts as an intermediate lessor in a sublease arrangement, the Group is required 
to classify the sublease as a finance lease or an operating lease by reference to the right-of-use assets arising 
from the head lease, instead of by reference to the underlying asset. The adoption of IFRS 16 does not have a 
significant impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements in this regard.

(c )  Subsidiaries and non-controlling interests

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed 
to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the entity. When assessing whether the Group has power, only substantive rights (held by the Group and 
other parties) are considered.

An investment in a subsidiary is consolidated into the consolidated financial statements from the date that control 
commences until the date that control ceases. Intra-group transactions, balances and cash flows and any unrealised 
profits arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated in full in preparing the consolidated financial statements. 
Unrealised losses resulting from intra-group transactions are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains but only to 
the extent that there is no evidence of impairment. Amounts reported by subsidiaries have been adjusted to conform 
with the Group’s accounting policies.

Non-controlling interests represent the equity in a subsidiary not attributable directly or indirectly to the Company, and 
in respect of which the Group has not agreed any additional terms with the holders of those interests which would 
result in the Group as a whole having a contractual obligation in respect of those interests that meets the definition of a 
financial liability. With regards to each business combination, the Group recognised non-controlling interests based on 
the proportion of the net identifiable assets of the subsidiary owned by the non-controlling interests.

Non-controlling interests are presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, separately from 
equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. Non-controlling interests in the results of the Group are 
presented on the face of the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
as an allocation of the total profit or loss and total comprehensive income for the year between non-controlling interests 
and the equity shareholders of the Company. Loans from holders of non-controlling interests and other contractual 
obligations towards these holders are presented as financial liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position 
in accordance with Note 2(p) or Note 2(q) depending on the nature of the liability.

Changes in the Group’s interests in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity 
transactions, whereby adjustments are made to the amounts of controlling and non-controlling interests within 
consolidated equity to reflect the change in relative interests, but no adjustments are made to goodwill and no gain or 
loss is recognised.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(c )  Subsidiaries and non-controlling interests (continued)

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that subsidiary, 
with a resulting gain or loss being recognised in consolidated income statement. Any interest retained in that former 
subsidiary at the date when control is lost is recognised at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on 
initial recognition of a financial asset (Note 2(f)) or, when appropriate, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in 
an associate or joint venture (Note 2(d)).

In the Company’s statement of financial position, an investment in a subsidiary is stated at cost less impairment losses 
(Note 2(l)(iii)).

The Group applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred in 
the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Transaction costs are 
expensed as incurred.

The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such 
amounts are generally recognised in profit or loss.

Any contingent consideration is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. If an obligation to pay contingent 
consideration that meets the definition of a financial instrument is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and 
settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, other contingent consideration is remeasured at fair value at each 
reporting date and subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

(d)  Associates and joint arrangements

An associate is an entity in which the Group or the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, 
over its management, including participation in the financial and operating policy decisions.

The Group has applied IFRS 11, Joint Arrangements (“IFRS 11”) to all joint arrangements. Under IFRS 11, investments 
in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual rights and 
obligations of each investor. The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangements and determined them to be 
joint ventures.

An investment in an associate or a joint venture is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements under the 
equity method and is initially recorded at cost, adjusted for any excess of the Group’s share of the acquisition-date 
fair values of the investee’s identifiable net assets over the cost of the investment (if any). Thereafter, the investment 
is adjusted for the post acquisition change in the Group’s share of the investee’s net assets and any impairment loss 
relating to the investment (Notes 2(e) and 2(l)(iii)). The Group’s share of the post-acquisition, post-tax results of the 
investees, adjusted for any acquisition-date excess over cost and any impairment losses for the year are recognised in 
the consolidated income statement, whereas the Group’s share of the post-acquisition post-tax items of the investees’ 
other comprehensive income is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in the associate or the joint venture, the Group’s interest is 
reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal 
or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the investee. For this purpose, the Group’s interest is 
the carrying amount of the investment under the equity method together with the Group’s long-term interests that in 
substance form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate or the joint venture.

Unrealised profits and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and its associates and joint ventures are 
eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investee, except where unrealised losses provide evidence of 
an impairment of the asset transferred, in which case they are recognised immediately in the consolidated income 
statement.

148

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(d)  Associates and joint arrangements (continued)

In the Company’s statement of financial position, investments in associates and joint ventures are stated at cost less 
impairment losses (Note 2(l)(iii)).

(e)  Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of

(i) 

the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the 
acquiree and the fair value of the Group’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree; over

(ii) 

the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities measured as at the acquisition date.

When (ii) is greater than (i), then this excess is recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement as a gain 
on a bargain purchase.

Goodwill is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising on a business combination is allocated 
to each cash-generating unit, or groups of cash generating units, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the 
combination and is tested annually for impairment (Note 2(l)(iii)).

(f)  Other investments in debt and equity securities

The Group’s policies for investments in debt and equity securities, other than investments in subsidiaries, associates and 
joint ventures, are set out below.

Investments in debt and equity securities are recognised / derecognised on the date the Group commits to purchase / 
sell the investment. The investments are initially stated at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs, except for 
those investments measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVPL) for which transaction costs are recognised directly 
in profit or loss. For an explanation of how the Group determines fair value of financial instruments, see Note 4(g)(i). 
These investments are subsequently accounted for as follows, depending on their classification.

Investments other than equity investments

Non-equity investments held by the Group are classified as FVPL as the investment does not meet the criteria for being 
measured at amortised cost or FVOCI (recycling). Changes in the fair value of the investment (including interest) are 
recognised in profit or loss.

Equity investments

An investment in equity securities is classified as FVPL unless the equity investment is not held for trading purposes 
and on initial recognition of the investment the Group makes an irrevocable election to designate the investment at 
FVOCI (non-recycling) such that subsequent changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income. 
Such elections are made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, but may only be made if the investment meets the 
definition of equity from the issuer’s perspective. Where such an election is made, the amount accumulated in other 
comprehensive income remains in the fair value reserve (non-recycling) until the investment is disposed of. At the time 
of disposal, the amount accumulated in the fair value reserve (non-recycling) is transferred to retained earnings. It is not 
recycled through profit or loss. Dividends from an investment in equity securities, irrespective of whether classified as at 
FVPL or FVOCI, are recognised in profit or loss as other income in accordance with the policy set out in Note 2(y)(iv).

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(g)  Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
remeasured at their fair value. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is 
designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.

The Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged 
items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. The Group 
also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are 
used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

Derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments 
and any unrealised gains or losses, being changes in fair value of the derivatives, are recognised in the profit or loss 
immediately.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges and that are highly effective, 
are recorded in the profit or loss, along with any changes in the fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities that are 
attributable to the hedged risk.

Derivative financial instruments that qualify for hedge accounting and which are designated as a specific hedge of the 
variability in cash flows of a highly probable forecast transaction, are accounted for as follows:

(i) 

The effective portion of any gains or losses on remeasurement of the derivative financial instruments to fair value 
are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the fair value reserve. 
The cumulative gain or loss on the derivative financial instruments recognised in other comprehensive income is 
reclassified from equity to profit or loss in the same period during which the hedged forecast cash flows affects 
profit or loss; and

(ii) 

The ineffective portion of any gains or losses on remeasurement of the derivative financial instruments to fair value 
is recognised in the profit or loss immediately.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
any cumulative gains or losses existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised in the profit or loss 
when the committed or forecast transaction ultimately occurs. When a committed or forecast transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the cumulative gains or losses that was recorded in equity is immediately transferred to the profit or 
loss.

(h)  Investment properties

Investment properties are land held under a lease and / or buildings which are owned to earn rental income and/or for 
capital appreciation.

Investment properties are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (Note 2(l)(iii)). 
Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of investment properties, less their estimated residual value, 
if any, using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease term. Rental income from investment 
properties is accounted for as described in Note 2(y)(iii).

150

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(i)  Other property, plant and equipment

Other property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (Note 2(l)
(iii)).

The cost of self-constructed items of property, plant and equipment includes the cost of materials, direct labour, the 
initial estimate, where relevant, of the costs of dismantling and removing the items and restoring the site on which they 
are located, and an appropriate proportion of production overheads and borrowing costs (Note 2(ab)).

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, 
only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of 
the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognised. All other repairs and 
maintenance are charged to the consolidated income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

When each major aircraft overhaul is performed, its cost is recognised in the carrying amount of the component 
of aircraft and is depreciated over the appropriate maintenance cycles. Components related to overhaul cost, are 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over 3 to 12 years. Upon completion of an overhaul, any remaining carrying amount 
of the cost of the previous overhaul is derecognised and charged to the consolidated income statement.

Gains or losses arising from the retirement or disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined 
as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item and are recognised in 
consolidated income statement on the date of retirement or disposal.

Except for components related to overhaul costs, the depreciation of other property, plant and equipment is calculated 
to write off the cost of items, less their estimated residual value, if any, using the straight line method over their 
estimated useful lives as follows:

Buildings 
Owned aircraft 
Other flight equipment
  – Jet engines 
  – Others, including rotables 
Machinery and equipment 

5 to 35 years
15 to 20 years

15 to 20 years
3 to 15 years
4 to 10 years

Where parts of an item of property, plant and equipment have different useful lives, the cost of the item is allocated on 
a reasonable basis between the parts and each part is depreciated separately. Both the useful life of an asset and its 
residual value, if any, are reviewed annually.

(j)  Construction in progress

Construction in progress represents advance payments for the acquisition of aircraft and flight equipment, office 
buildings, various infrastructure projects under construction and equipment pending for installation, and is stated at cost 
less impairment losses (Note 2(l)(iii)). Capitalisation of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred 
to property, plant and equipment when the asset is substantially ready for its intended use, notwithstanding any delay in 
the issue of the relevant commissioning certificates by the relevant PRC authorities.

No depreciation is provided in respect of construction in progress.

(k)  Leased assets

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, 
a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for 
consideration. Control is conveyed where the customer has both the right to direct the use of the identified asset and to 
obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from that use.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(k)  Leased assets (continued)

(1)  As a lessee

(A)  Policy applicable from 1 January 2019

For a contract that contains more than a lease, a lessee and lessor shall separate the contract and account 
for each lease component respectively. For a contract that contains lease and non-lease components, a 
lessee and lessor shall separate lease components from non-lease components. However, when the Group 
is a lessee of land use right and buildings, the Group has elected not to separate non-lease components 
from lease components, and instead, account for each lease component and any associated non-lease 
components as a single lease component. When separate lease components from non-lease components, 
a lessee shall allocate the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of the 
relative stand-alone price of the lease component and the aggregate stand-alone price of the non-lease 
components.

At the lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use assets and a lease liability, except 
for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets. When the 
Group enters into a lease in respect of a low-value asset, the Group decides whether to capitalise the lease 
on a lease-by-lease basis. The lease payments associated with those leases which are not capitalised are 
recognised as an expense on a systematic basis over the lease term.

Where the lease is capitalised, the lease liability is initially recognised at the present value of the lease 
payments payable over the lease term, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate 
cannot be readily determined, using a relevant incremental borrowing rate. After initial recognition, the lease 
liability is measured at amortised cost and interest expense is calculated using the effective interest method. 
Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement of the 
lease liability and hence are charged to profit or loss in the accounting period in which they are incurred.

The right-of-use assets recognised when a lease is capitalised is initially measured at cost, which comprises 
the initial amount of the lease liability plus any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, 
and any initial direct costs incurred. Where applicable, the cost of the right-of-use assets also includes an 
estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site 
on which it is located, discounted to their present value, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use 
assets is subsequently stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (see Notes 2(l)
(iii)).

The lease liability is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in 
an index or rate, or there is a change in the Group’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under 
a residual value guarantee, or there is a change arising from the reassessment of whether the Group will 
be reasonably certain to exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. When the lease liability is 
remeasured in this way, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use 
assets, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use assets has been reduced to 
zero.

For the measurement of component accounting for right-of-use assets and subsequent major overhaul 
performed, see Note 2(i).

The Group presents right-of-use assets that do not meet the definition of investment property in right-of-use 
assets and presents lease liabilities separately in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The cost of acquiring land held under a lease is amortised on a straight-line basis over the respective 
periods of lease terms which range from 30 to 70 years.

152

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(k)  Leased assets (continued)

(1)  As a lessee (continued)

(B)  Policy applicable prior to 1 January 2019

In the comparative period, an arrangement, comprising a transaction or a series of transactions, is or 
contains a lease if the Group determines that the arrangement conveys a right to use a specific asset or 
assets for an agreed period of time in return for a payment or a series of payments. Such a determination 
is made based on an evaluation of the substance of the arrangement and is regardless of whether the 
arrangement takes the legal form of a lease.

(i) 

(ii) 

Classification of assets leased to the Group
Assets that are held by the Group under leases which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks 
and rewards of ownership are classified as being held under finance leases. Leases which do not 
transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group are classified as operating 
leases, except for land held for own use under an operating lease, the fair value of which cannot be 
measured separately from the fair value of a building situated thereon at the inception of the lease, 
is accounted for as being held under a finance lease, unless the building is also clearly held under 
an operating lease. For these purposes, the inception of the lease is the time that the lease was first 
entered into by the Group, or taken over from the previous lessee.

Assets acquired under finance leases
Where the Group acquires the use of assets under finance leases, the amounts representing the fair 
value of the leased asset, or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments, of such 
assets are included in property, plant and equipment and the corresponding liabilities, net of finance 
charges, are recorded as obligations under finance leases. Depreciation is provided at rates which 
write off the cost or valuation of the assets over the term of the relevant lease or, where it is likely 
the Group will obtain ownership of the asset, the life of the asset. Impairment losses are accounted 
for in accordance with the accounting policy as set out in Note 2(l)(iii). Finance charges implicit in the 
lease payments are charged to consolidated income statement over the period of the leases so as to 
produce an approximately constant periodic rate of charge on the remaining balance of the obligations 
for each accounting period. Contingent rentals are charged to consolidated income statement in the 
accounting period in which they are incurred.

(iii)  Operating lease charges

Where the Group has the use of assets held under operating leases, payments made under the leases 
are charged to consolidated income statement in equal instalments over the accounting periods 
covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more representative of the pattern of 
benefits to be derived from the leased asset. Lease incentives received are recognised in consolidated 
income statement as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments made. Contingent rentals 
are charged to consolidated income statement in the accounting period in which they are incurred.

The cost of acquiring land held under an operating lease is amortised on a straight-line basis over the 
respective periods of lease terms which range from 30 to 70 years.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(k)  Leased assets (continued)

(1)  As a lessee (continued)

(B)  Policy applicable prior to 1 January 2019 (continued)

(iv)  Sale and leaseback transactions

Gains or losses on aircraft sale and leaseback transactions which result in finance leases are deferred 
and amortised over the terms of the related leases.

Gains or losses on aircraft sale and leaseback transactions which result in operating leases are 
recognised immediately if the transactions are established at fair value. If the sale price is below 
fair value then the gain or loss is recognised immediately. However, if a loss is compensated for by 
future rentals at a below-market price, then the loss is deferred and amortised over the period that 
the aircraft is expected to be used. If the sale price is above fair value, then any gain is deferred and 
amortised over the useful life of the assets.

(2)  As a lessor

When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or 
an operating lease. A lease is classified as a finance lease if it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards 
incidental to the ownership of an underlying assets to the lessee. If this is not the case, the lease is classified as 
an operating lease.

When a contract contains lease and non-lease components, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract 
to each component on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. The rental income from operating leases is 
recognised in accordance with Note 2(y)(iii).

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, the sub-leases are classified as a finance lease or as an operating 
lease with reference to the right-of-use assets arising from the head lease. If the head lease is a short-term lease 
to which the Group applies the exemption described in Note 2(k)(1), then the Group classifies the sub-lease as an 
operating lease.

(l)  Credit losses and impairment of assets

(i)  Credit losses from financial instruments and lease receivables

The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses (ECL) on the following items:

– 

financial assets measured at amortised cost (including cash and cash equivalents and trade and other 
receivables); and

– 

lease receivables.

Financial assets measured at fair value, including equity securities measured at FVPL, equity securities designated 
at FVOCI (non-recycling) and derivative financial assets, are not subject to the ECL assessment.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(l)  Credit losses and impairment of assets (continued)

(i)  Credit losses from financial instruments and lease receivables (continued)

Measurement of ECLs
ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of 
all expected cash shortfalls (i.e. the difference between the cash flows due to the Group in accordance with the 
contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive).

The expected cash shortfalls are discounted using the following discount rates where the effect of discounting is 
material:

– 

– 

– 

fixed-rate financial assets, and trade and other receivables: effective interest rate determined at initial 
recognition or an approximation thereof;

variable-rate financial assets: current effective interest rate;

lease receivables: discount rate used in the measurement of the lease receivable.

The maximum period considered when estimating ECLs is the maximum contractual period over which the Group 
is exposed to credit risk.

In measuring ECLs, the Group takes into account reasonable and supportable information that is available without 
undue cost or effort. This includes information about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future 
economic conditions.

ECLs are measured on either of the following bases:

– 

– 

12-month ECLs: these are losses that are expected to result from possible default events within the 12 
months after the reporting date; and

lifetime ECLs: these are losses that are expected to result from all possible default events over the expected 
lives of the items to which the ECL model applies.

Loss allowances for trade receivables and lease receivables are always measured at an amount equal to lifetime 
ECLs. ECLs on these financial assets are estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group’s historical credit 
loss experience, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors and an assessment of both the current and 
forecast general economic conditions at the reporting date.

For all other financial instruments, the Group recognises a loss allowance equal to 12-month ECLs unless there 
has been a significant increase in credit risk of the financial instrument since initial recognition, in which case the 
loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(l)  Credit losses and impairment of assets (continued)

(i)  Credit losses from financial instruments and lease receivables (continued)

Significant increases in credit risk
In assessing whether the credit risk of a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition, the 
Group compares the risk of default occurring on the financial instrument assessed at the reporting date with that 
assessed at the date of initial recognition. In making this reassessment, the Group considers that a default event 
occurs when the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Group in full, without recourse by the 
Group to actions such as realising security (if any is held). The Group considers both quantitative and qualitative 
information that is reasonable and supportable, including historical experience and forward-looking information that 
is available without undue cost or effort.

In particular, the following information is taken into account when assessing whether credit risk has increased 
significantly since initial recognition:

– 

– 

– 

– 

failure to make payments of principal or interest on their contractually due dates;

an actual or expected significant deterioration in a financial instrument’s external or internal credit rating (if 
available);

an actual or expected significant deterioration in the operating results of the debtor; and

existing or forecast changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment that have a 
significant adverse effect on the debtor’s ability to meet its obligation to the Group.

Depending on the nature of the financial instruments, the assessment of a significant increase in credit risk is 
performed on either an individual basis or a collective basis. When the assessment is performed on a collective 
basis, the financial instruments are grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics, such as past due status 
and credit risk ratings.

The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 30 days 
past due, unless the Group has reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or 
effort, that demonstrates that the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition even though the 
contractual payments are more than 30 days past due.

ECLs are remeasured at each reporting date to reflect changes in the financial instrument’s credit risk since initial 
recognition. Any change in the ECL amount is recognised as an impairment gain or loss in consolidated income 
statement. The Group recognises an impairment gain or loss for all financial instruments with a corresponding 
adjustment to their carrying amount through a loss allowance account.

Basis of calculation of interest income
Interest income recognised in accordance with Note 2(y)(v) is calculated based on the gross carrying amount of 
the financial asset unless the financial asset is credit-impaired, in which case interest income is calculated based 
on the amortised cost (i.e. the gross carrying amount less loss allowance) of the financial asset.

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether a financial asset is credit-impaired. A financial asset is credit-
impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the 
financial asset have occurred.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(l)  Credit losses and impairment of assets (continued)

(i)  Credit losses from financial instruments and lease receivables (continued)

Basis of calculation of interest income (continued)
Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes the following observable events:

– 

– 

– 

– 

significant financial difficulties of the debtor;

a breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

it becoming probable that the borrower will enter into bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation;

significant changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment that have an adverse effect 
on the debtor; or

– 

the disappearance of an active market for a security because of financial difficulties of the issuer.

Write-off policy
The gross carrying amount of a financial asset and lease receivable is written off (either partially or in full) to the 
extent that there is no realistic prospect of recovery. This is generally the case when the Group determines that 
the debtor does not have assets or sources of income that could generate sufficient cash flows to repay the 
amounts subject to the write-off.

Subsequent recoveries of an asset that was previously written off are recognised as a reversal of impairment in 
consolidated income statement in the period in which the recovery occurs.

(ii)  Credit losses from financial guarantees issued

Financial guarantees are contracts that require the issuer (i.e. the guarantor) to make specified payments to 
reimburse the beneficiary of the guarantee (the “holder”) for a loss the holder incurs because a specified debtor 
fails to make payment when due in accordance with the terms of a debt instrument.

After initial recognition at fair value, the Group, as an issuer of such a contract, subsequently measure it at the 
higher of: (i) the amount of the loss allowance and (ii) the amount initially recognised less, when appropriate, the 
cumulative amount of income recognised.

The Group monitors the risk that the specified debtor will default on the contract and recognises a provision 
when ECLs on the financial guarantees are determined to be higher than the amount recorded in respect of the 
guarantees (i.e. the amount initially recognised, less accumulated amortisation).

To determine ECLs, the Group considers changes in the risk of default of the specified debtor since the issuance 
of the guarantee. A 12-month ECL is measured unless the risk that the specified debtor will default has increased 
significantly since the guarantee is issued, in which case a lifetime ECL is measured. The same definition of default 
and the same assessment of significant increase in credit risk as described in Note 2(l)(i) apply.

As the Group is required to make payments only in the event of a default by the specified debtor in accordance 
with the terms of the instrument that is guaranteed, an ECL is estimated based on the expected payments to 
reimburse the holder for a credit loss that it incurs less any amount that the Group expects to receive from the 
holder of the guarantee, the specified debtor or any other party. The amount is then discounted using the current 
risk-free rate adjusted for risks specific to the cash flows.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(l)  Credit losses and impairment of assets (continued)

(iii)  Impairment of other non-current assets

Internal and external sources of information are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to identify indications 
that the following assets may be impaired or, except in the case of goodwill, an impairment loss previously 
recognised no longer exists or may have decreased:

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Investment properties;
Other property, plant and equipment;
Right-of-use assets;
Construction in progress;
Goodwill;
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures in the Company’s statement of financial position.

If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of goodwill is 
estimated annually whether or not there is any indication of impairment.

– 

– 

– 

Calculation of recoverable amount
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. 
In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-
tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific 
to the asset. Where an asset does not generate cash inflows largely independent of those from other 
assets, the recoverable amount is determined for the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows 
independently (i.e. a cash-generating unit).

Recognition of impairment losses
An impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss if the carrying amount of an asset, or the cash-generating 
unit to which it belongs, exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-
generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-
generating unit (or group of units) and then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the unit (or 
group of units) on a pro rata basis, except that the carrying value of an asset will not be reduced below its 
individual fair value less costs of disposal (if measurable), or value in use (if determinable).

Reversals of impairment losses
In respect of assets other than goodwill, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a favourable 
change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss in respect of 
goodwill is not reversed.

A reversal of an impairment loss is limited to the asset’s carrying amount that would have been determined 
had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years. Reversals of impairment losses are credited to profit 
or loss in the year in which the reversals are recognised.

(iv)  Interim financial reporting and impairment

Under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the Group is 
required to prepare an interim financial report in compliance with IAS 34, Interim financial reporting, in respect of 
the first six months of the financial year. At the end of the interim period, the Group applies the same impairment 
testing, recognition, and reversal criteria as it would at the end of the financial year (Notes 2(l)(iii)).

Impairment losses recognised in an interim period in respect of goodwill, if any, are not reversed in a subsequent 
period. This is the case even if no loss, or a smaller loss of any, would have been recognised had the impairment 
been assessed only at the end of the financial year to which the interim period relates.

158

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(m) Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of consumable spare parts and supplies, are stated at cost less any applicable 
provision for obsolescence, and are charged to consolidated income statement when used in operations. Cost 
represents the average unit cost.

Inventories held for sale or disposal are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the 
estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated 
costs necessary to make the sale.

When inventories are sold, the carrying amount of those inventories is recognised as an expense in the period in which 
the related revenue is recognised. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realisable value and all losses of 
inventories are recognised as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of 
any write-down of inventories is recognised as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognised as an expense in the 
period in which the reversal occurs.

(n)  Contract assets and contract liabilities

A contract asset is recognised when the Group recognises revenue (see Note 2(y)) before being unconditionally entitled 
to the consideration under the payment terms set out in the contract. Contract assets, if any, are assessed for ECL and 
are reclassified to receivables when the right to the consideration has become unconditional (see Note 2(o)).

A contract liability is recognised when the customer pays non-refundable consideration before the Group recognises the 
related revenue (see Note 2(y)). A contract liability would also be recognised if the Group has an unconditional right to 
receive non-refundable consideration before the Group recognises the related revenue. In such cases, a corresponding 
receivable would also be recognised (see Note 2(o)).

For a single contract with the customer, either a net contract asset or a net contract liability is presented. For multiple 
contracts, contract assets and contract liabilities of unrelated contracts are not presented on a net basis.

(o)  Trade and other receivables

A receivable is recognised when the Group has an unconditional right to receive consideration. A right to receive 
consideration is unconditional if only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due. If 
revenue has been recognised before the Group has an unconditional right to receive consideration, the amount is 
presented as a contract asset (see Note 2(n)).

Receivables are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method less allowance for credit losses (see Note 
2(l)(i)).

(p)  Interest-bearing borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between the amount initially 
recognised and redemption value being recognised in consolidated income statement over the period of the borrowings, 
together with any interest and fees payable, using the effective interest method.

(q)  Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are initially recognised at fair value. Except for financial guarantee liabilities measured in 
accordance with (Note 2(l)(ii)), trade and other payables are subsequently stated at amortised cost unless the effect of 
discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(r )  Non-current assets held for sale

A non-current asset (or disposal group) is classified as held for sale if it is highly probable that its carrying amount will 
be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and the asset (or disposal group) is available 
for sale in its present condition. A disposal group is a group of assets to be disposed of together as a group in a single 
transaction, and liabilities directly associated with those assets that will be transferred in the transaction.

Immediately before classification as held for sale, the measurement of the non-current assets (and all individual 
assets and liabilities in a disposal group) is brought up-to-date in accordance with the accounting policies before the 
classification. Then, on initial classification as held for sale and until disposal, the non-current assets (except for certain 
assets as explained below), or disposal groups, are recognised at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less 
costs to sell. The principal exceptions to this measurement policy so far as the financial statements of the Group and 
the Company are concerned are deferred tax assets, assets arising from employee benefits, financial assets (other than 
investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures) and investment properties. These assets, even if held for sale, 
would continue to be measured in accordance with the policies set out elsewhere in Note 2.

Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale, and on subsequent remeasurement while held for sale, are 
recognised in profit or loss. As long as a non-current asset is classified as held for sale, or is included in a disposal 
group that is classified as held for sale, the non-current asset is not depreciated or amortised.

(s)  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other financial 
institutions, and short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and 
which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, having been generally within three months of maturity at 
acquisition. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management 
are also included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the consolidated cash flow 
statement. Cash and cash equivalents are assessed for ECL in accordance with the policy set out in Note 2(l)(i).

(t)  Provisions and contingent liabilities

Provisions are recognised for liabilities of uncertain timing or amount when the Group or the Company has a legal 
or constructive obligation arising as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will 
be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made. Where the time value of money is material, 
provisions are stated at the present value of the expenditures expected to settle the obligation.

Where it is not probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required, or the amount cannot be estimated 
reliably, the obligation is disclosed as a contingent liability, unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is 
remote. Possible obligations, whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or 
more future events are also disclosed as contingent liabilities unless the probability of outflow of economic benefits is 
remote.

(u)  Dividend distribution

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

(v)  Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in 
equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

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(w) Deferred benefits and gains

In connection with the acquisitions of certain aircraft and engines, the Group receives various credits. Such credits 
are deferred until the aircraft and engines are delivered, at which time they are applied as a reduction of the cost of 
acquiring the aircraft and engines, resulting in a reduction of future depreciation.

(x)  Income tax

Income tax for the year comprises current tax and movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Current tax and 
movements in deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised in consolidated income statement except to the extent 
that they relate to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the relevant 
amounts of tax are recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively 
enacted at the end of the reporting year, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from deductible and taxable temporary differences respectively, being the 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their tax bases. 
Deferred tax assets also arise from unused tax losses and unused tax credits.

Apart from certain limited exceptions, all deferred tax liabilities, and all deferred tax assets to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised, are recognised. Future 
taxable profits that may support the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences 
include those that will arise from the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, provided those differences relate 
to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and are expected to reverse either in the same period as 
the expected reversal of the deductible temporary difference or in periods into which a tax loss arising from the deferred 
tax asset can be carried back or forward. The same criteria are adopted when determining whether existing taxable 
temporary differences support the recognition of deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and credits, that is, 
those differences are taken into account if they relate to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, and 
are expected to reverse in a period, or periods, in which the tax loss or credit can be utilised.

The limited exception to the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities are those temporary differences arising from 
goodwill, the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit (provided they are 
not part of a business combination), and temporary differences relating to investments in subsidiaries, associates and 
joint ventures to the extent that, in the case of taxable differences, the Group controls the timing of the reversal and it is 
probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future, or in the case of deductible differences, unless it 
is probable that they will reverse in the future and it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which 
the temporary difference can be utilised.

The amount of deferred tax recognised is measured based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the 
carrying amount of the assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting 
period and are expected to apply when related deferred tax asset is realised or the deferred tax liability is settled. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced to the extent 
that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow the related tax benefit to be utilised. 
Any such reduction is reversed to the extent that it becomes probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(x)  Income tax (continued)

Current tax balances and deferred tax balances, and movements therein, are presented separately from each other and 
are not offset. Current tax assets are offset against current tax liabilities, and deferred tax assets against deferred tax 
liabilities, if the Company or the Group has the legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and the following additional conditions are met:

– 

– 

in the case of current tax assets and liabilities, the Company or the Group intends either to settle on a net basis, 
or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously; or

in the case of deferred tax assets and liabilities, if they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority 
on either:

• 

• 

the same taxable entity; or

different taxable entities, which, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or 
assets are expected to be settled or recovered, intend to realise the current tax assets and settle the current 
tax liabilities on a net basis or realise and settle simultaneously.

(y)  Revenue and other income

Income is classified by the Group as revenue when it arises from the sale of goods, the provision of services or the use 
by others of the Group’s assets under leases in the ordinary course of the Group’s business.

Revenue is recognised when control over a product or service is transferred to the customer, or the lessee has the right 
to use the asset, at the amount of promised consideration to which the Group is expected to be entitled, excluding 
those amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Revenue excludes value added tax or other sales taxes and is after 
deduction of any trade discounts.

Further details of the Group’s revenue and other income recognition policies are as follows:

(i)  Passenger, cargo and mail revenue

Revenue is recognised when passenger, cargo and mail transportation services are provided. Unearned passenger 
revenue at the reporting date is included within “sales in advance of carriage” in the consolidated statement of 
financial position.

Ticket breakage relates to a portion of contractual rights that the Group does not expect to be exercised.

When the Group expects that the consideration received in advance of carriage is not refundable, and the 
customer is likely to give up a portion of the contractual rights, the Group recognises, in proportion to the pattern 
of rights exercised by the customer, the breakage amount to which the Group expects to be entitled as revenue. 
If the Group does not expect to be entitled to a breakage amount, the Group recognises the expected breakage 
amount as revenue when the likelihood of the customer exercising its remaining rights becomes remote.

Revenue from airline-related business is recognised when the customers take possession of and accept the 
relevant services.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(y)  Revenue and other income (continued)

(ii)  Frequent flyer revenue

The Group maintains two major frequent flyer award programmes, namely, the China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl 
Club and the Xiamen Airlines’ Egret Card Frequent Flyer Programme, which provide travel and other awards to 
members based on accumulated mileages.

According to the frequent flyer award programmes, the Group allocates the transaction price received in relation to 
mileage earning flights to flight and mileage awarded on a relative stand-alone selling price basis, and recognised 
the portion allocated to mileage awarded as “contract liabilities”. The mileage awarded to customers by third 
parties through means other than flights are initially recognised as “contract liabilities”.

The Group estimates the standalone selling price of mileage awarded through mileage earning flights based 
on inputs and assumptions derived from historical data, including the estimates on the percentage of mileage 
awarded that are expected to be redeemed (“expected redemption rate”).

Contract liabilities in relation to mileage awarded are subsequently recognised as revenue when the mileage 
is redeemed and the related benefits are received or used. Revenue on redeemed flights is recognised in 
accordance with the accounting policy set out in Note 2(y)(i), and revenue on redeemed goods or services is 
recognised when the customers take possession of the goods or services.

(iii)  Rental income from operating leases

Rental income receivable under operating leases is recognised in consolidated income statement in equal 
instalments over the periods covered by the lease term, except where an alternative basis is more representative 
of the pattern of benefits to be derived from the use of the leased asset. Lease incentives granted are recognised 
in profit or loss as an integral part of the aggregate net lease payments receivable. Contingent rentals are 
recognised as income in the accounting period in which they are earned.

(iv)  Dividends

–  

–  

Dividend income from unlisted investments is recognised when the shareholder’s right to receive payment is 
established.

Dividend income from listed investments is recognised when the share price of the investment goes ex-
dividend.

(v) 

Interest income

Interest income is recognised as it accrues under the effective interest method using the rate that exactly 
discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to the gross carrying 
amount of the financial asset. For financial assets measured at amortised cost or FVOCI (recycling) that are not 
credit-impaired, the effective interest rate is applied to the gross carrying amount of the asset. For credit-impaired 
financial assets, the effective interest rate is applied to the amortised cost (i.e. gross carrying amount net of loss 
allowance) of the asset (see Note 2(l)(i)).

(vi)  Government grants

Government grants are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position initially when there is 
reasonable assurance that they will be received and that the Group will comply with the conditions attaching to 
them. Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred are recognised as income in consolidated income 
statement on a systematic basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred. Grants that compensate 
the Group for the cost of an asset are deducted from the carrying amount of the asset and consequently are 
effectively recognised in profit or loss over the useful life of the asset by way of reduced depreciation expense.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(z)  Traffic commissions

Traffic commissions are expensed in the consolidated income statement when the transportation is provided and the 
related revenue is recognised. Traffic commissions for transportation not yet provided are recorded on the consolidated 
statement of financial position as prepaid expense.

(aa) Maintenance and overhaul costs

In respect of owned and leased aircraft, components within the aircraft subject to replacement during major overhauls 
are recognised as Note 2(i) and Note 2(k). Other routine maintenance, repairs and overhauls are charged to consolidated 
income statement as and when incurred.

In respect of certain leased aircraft, the Group has responsibility to fulfil certain return conditions under relevant lease 
agreements. In order to fulfil these return conditions, major overhauls are required to be conducted. Accordingly, except 
for the estimated costs of major overhauls recognised as right-of-use assets at the lease commencement date, see 
Note 2(k), other estimated costs of major overhauls are accrued and charged to the consolidated income statement 
over the estimated overhaul period. Differences between the estimated costs and the actual costs of overhauls are 
charged to consolidated income statement in the period when the overhaul is performed.

(ab)  Borrowing costs

General and specific borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an 
asset which necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale are capitalised as part 
of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

The capitalisation of borrowing costs as part of the cost of a qualifying asset commences when expenditure for the 
asset is being incurred, borrowing costs are being incurred and activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its 
intended use or sale are in progress. Capitalisation of borrowing costs is suspended or ceases when substantially all the 
activities necessary to prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use or sale are interrupted or complete.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying 
assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalisation.

Borrowing costs include interest expense, finance charges in respect of lease liabilities and exchange differences arising 
from foreign currency borrowings to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs.

(ac)  Employee benefits

(i)  Short term employee benefits and contributions to defined contribution retirement 

schemes

Salaries, annual bonuses and contributions to defined contribution retirement schemes are accrued in the year in 
which the associated services are rendered by employees. Where payment or settlement is deferred and the effect 
would be material, these amounts are stated at their present values.

(ii)  Termination benefits

Termination benefits are recognised when, and only when, the Group demonstrably commits itself to terminate 
employment or to provide benefits as a result of voluntary redundancy by having a detailed formal plan which is 
without realistic possibility of withdrawal.

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(ac)  Employee benefits (continued)

(iii)  Retirement benefits

According to IAS 19, Employee Benefits, an entity shall account not only for its legal obligation under the formal 
terms of a defined benefit plan, but also for any constructive obligation that arises from the entity’s informal 
practices where the entity has no realistic alternative but to pay the employee benefits. The Group believes the 
payments of welfare subsidy to those retirees who retired before the establishment of Pension Scheme are 
discretionary and have not created a legal or constructive obligation. Such payments are made according to the 
Group’s business performance, and can be suspended at any time.

(ad) Translation of foreign currencies

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary 
economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are 
presented in Renminbi, which is the Company’s functional and the Group’s presentation currency.

Foreign currencies transactions during the year are translated into Renminbi at the applicable rates of exchange quoted 
by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) prevailing at the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in foreign currencies are translated into Renminbi at the PBOC exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting 
period. Exchange gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated into 
Renminbi at the PBOC exchange rates prevailing at the transaction dates. The transaction date is the date on which 
the Group initially recognises such non-monetary assets or liabilities. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in 
foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated into Renminbi at the PBOC exchange rates prevailing at the 
dates the fair value was determined.

The results of foreign operations are translated into Renminbi at the PBOC exchange rates approximating the foreign 
exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Statement of financial position items are translated into 
Renminbi at the PBOC exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. The resulting exchange differences 
are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated separately in equity in the exchange reserve.

(ae) Related parties

(a)  A person, or a close member of that person’s family, is related to the Group if that person:

(i) 

has control or joint control over the Group;

(ii) 

has significant influence over the Group; or

(iii) 

is a member of the key management personnel of the Group or the Group’s parent.

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2  Significant accounting policies (continued)
(ae) Related parties (continued)

(b)  An entity is related to the Group if any of the following conditions applies:

(i) 

The entity and the Group are members of the same group (which means that each parent, subsidiary and 
fellow subsidiary is related to the others).

(ii)  One entity is an associate or joint venture of the other entity (or an associate or joint venture of a member of 

a group of which the other entity is a member).

(iii)  Both entities are joint ventures of the same third party.

(iv)  One entity is a joint venture of a third entity and the other entity is an associate of the third entity.

(v) 

The entity is a post-employment benefit plan for the benefit of employees of either the Group or an entity 
related to the Group.

(vi) 

The entity is controlled or jointly controlled by a person identified in (a).

(vii)  A person identified in (a)(i) has significant influence over the entity or is a member of the key management 

personnel of the entity (or of a parent of the entity).

(viii)  The entity, or any member of a group of which it is a part, provides key management personnel services to 

the Group or to the Group’s parent.

Close members of the family of a person are those family members who may be expected to influence, or be 
influenced by, that person in their dealings with the entity.

(af)  Segment reporting

Operating segments, and the amounts of each segment item reported in the financial statements, are identified from the 
financial information provided regularly to the Group’s most senior executive management, who is the chief operating 
decision maker, for the purposes of allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, the Group’s various lines 
of business and geographical locations.

Individually material operating segments are not aggregated for financial reporting purposes unless the segments 
have similar economic characteristics and are similar in respect of the nature of products and services, the nature of 
production processes, the type or class of customers, the methods used to distribute the products or provide the 
services, and the nature of the regulatory environment. Operating segments which are not individually material may be 
aggregated if they share a majority of these criteria.

3  Accounting estimates and judgements

The Group’s financial position and results of operations are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and 
estimates that underlie the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The Group bases the assumptions 
and estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Group believes to be reasonable 
and which form the basis for making judgements about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. 
On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates as facts, 
circumstances and conditions change.

166

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)3  Accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgements and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies 
and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in condition and assumptions are factors to be considered when 
reviewing the financial statements. In addition to the assumptions and estimates regarding fair value measurements of 
financial instruments disclosed in Note 4(g), the Group believes the following also involve key accounting estimates and 
judgements used in the preparation of the financial statements.

(a)  Impairment of long-lived assets (other than goodwill)

If circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the asset may be 
considered “impaired”, and an impairment loss may be recognised in accordance with IAS 36, Impairment of Assets. 
The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed periodically in order to assess whether the recoverable amounts 
have declined below the carrying amounts. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that their recorded carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such a decline has 
occurred, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair 
value less costs of disposal and value in use. In particular, in determining the value in use of the Group’s aircraft fleet, 
expected future cash flows to be generated by the asset are discounted to their present value, which requires significant 
judgement relating to forecast traffic revenue, forecast operating costs and discount rate applied. The Group uses 
all readily available information in determining an amount that is a reasonable approximation of recoverable amount, 
including estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions for projections of traffic revenue and operating 
costs and application of discount rate.

(b)  Depreciation and amortisation

Property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets are depreciated or amortised on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated useful lives, after taking into account the estimated residual value. The Group reviews the estimated useful 
lives of assets annually in order to determine the amount of depreciation and amortisation expense to be recorded 
during any financial year. The useful lives are based on the Group’s historical experience with similar assets and 
take into account anticipated technological changes. The depreciation and amortisation expense for future periods is 
adjusted if there are significant changes from previous estimates.

(c )  Discount rate and return overhaul costs used to measure right-of-use 

assets relating to aircraft
As disclosed in Note 2(k) to the consolidated financial statements, the Group’s right-of-use assets relating to aircraft 
consists primarily of lease payments over the term of the leases and an estimate of cost of overhauls to restore the 
underlying assets to the agreed conditions at the end of the lease term (“return overhaul costs”), discounted to the 
present value. The minor change in the discount rate and the return overhaul costs may have a significant impact on the 
measurement of the Group’s right-of-use assets.

(d)  Frequent flyer revenue

According to the frequent flyer award programmes, the allocation of stand-alone selling price of the mileage awarded 
involves the estimation of the expected redemption rate. The expected redemption rate is estimated based on historical 
experience of mileage redemption, taking into consideration future mileage redemption patterns, which are associated 
with changes in the terms to mileage programs and customer behaviour. Different estimates could significantly affect the 
estimated contract liabilities and the results of operations.

(e)  Income tax

There are certain transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary 
course of business. The Group needs to make judgements and estimates in determining the current income tax. Where 
the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will 
impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the year in which such determination is made.

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3  Accounting estimates and judgements (continued)
(f)  Ticket breakage revenue

The Group recognises, in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer, the breakage amount to which 
the Group expects to be entitled as ticket breakage revenue. Such portion is estimated based on the Group’s historical 
experiences, and the estimated revenue is recognised only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant 
reversal in cumulative revenue recognised will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Different estimates could 
significantly affect the ticket breakage revenue recognised in the current financial year.

4  Financial risk management and fair values

The Group is exposed to liquidity, interest rate, currency, credit risks and commodity jet fuel price risk in the normal 
course of business. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial market 
and seeks to minimise the adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group’s exposure to these risks 
and the financial risk management policies and practices used by the Group to manage these risks are described 
below.

(a)  Liquidity risk

As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by RMB78,752 million. For the 
year ended 31 December 2019, the Group recorded a net cash inflow from operating activities of RMB31,175 million, 
a net cash outflow from investing activities of RMB14,427 million and a net cash outflow from financing activities of 
RMB21,833 million, which in total resulted in a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of RMB5,085 million.

The Group is dependent on its ability to maintain adequate cash inflow from operations, its ability to maintain existing 
external financing, and its ability to obtain new external financing to meet its debt obligations as they fall due and to 
meet its committed future capital expenditures. The Group’s policy is to regularly monitor its liquidity requirements and 
its compliance with lending covenants, to ensure that it maintains sufficient reserves of cash and adequate committed 
lines of funding from major financial institutions to meet its liquidity requirements in the short and longer term. As at 
31 December 2019, the Group had banking facilities with several banks and financial institutions for providing bank 
financing up to approximately RMB308,343 million, of which approximately RMB251,165 million was unutilised. The 
Directors of the Company believe that sufficient financing will be available to the Group when and where needed.

The following tables show the remaining contractual maturities at the end of the reporting period of the Group’s non-
derivative financial liabilities, which are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows (including interest payments 
computed using contractual rates or, if floating, based on rates current at the end of the reporting period) and the 
earliest date the Group can be required to pay:

2019 Contractual undiscounted cash outflow

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
2 years

More than 
2 years but 
less than 
5 years

Carrying 
Within 
amount at 
1 year or 
31 December
on demand
RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million

More than 
5 years

Total

Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables and 

accrued charges

38,304
25,404

21,300

85,008

4,251
23,860

8,720
63,003

2,007
44,814

–

–

–

28,111

71,723

46,821

53,282
157,081

21,300

231,663

51,180
134,074

21,300

206,554

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China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(a)  Liquidity risk (continued)

2018 Contractual undiscounted cash outflow

Within 
1 year or 
on demand
RMB million

More than 
1 year but 
less than 
2 years
RMB million

More than 
2 years but 
less than 
5 years
RMB million

More than 
5 years
RMB million

Total
RMB million

Borrowings
Obligations under finance leases
Trade and other payables and 

accrued charges

40,121
12,062

21,292

73,475

8,272
11,738

6,335
36,765

2,188
22,200

–

–

–

20,010

43,100

24,388

56,916
82,765

21,292

160,973

Carrying 
amount at 
31 December
RMB million
(Note)

54,417
72,221

21,292

147,930

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

(b)  Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of 
changes in market interest rates. The Group’s borrowings and lease liabilities issued at floating and fixed interest rates 
expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk and fair value interest rate risk, respectively. The Group determines 
the ratio of fixed-rate and floating-rate instruments according to the market environment, and maintains an appropriate 
combination of fixed-rate and floating-rate instruments by reviewing and monitoring it on a regular basis.

Interest rate swaps, denominated in United States Dollars (“USD”), have been entered into to mitigate its cash flow 
interest rate risk. Under the interest rate swaps, the Group agrees with other third parties to exchange, at specified 
intervals (primarily quarterly), the difference between fixed contract rates and floating-rate interest amounts calculated by 
reference to the agreed notional amounts (Note 27).

Cross currency swaps have been entered into to mitigate its interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. Under the cross 
currency swaps, the Group agrees with other third parties to exchange the floating interest and principal payments in 
USD for fixed interest and principal payments in RMB for certain USD bank loans (Note 27).

As at 31 December 2019, it is estimated that a general increase/decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates, with 
all other variables held constant, would have decreased/increased the Group’s profit after tax and retained profits by 
approximately RMB559 million (2018: RMB539 million).

The sensitivity analysis above indicates the instantaneous change in the Group’s profit after tax and retained profits 
and other components of consolidated equity that would arise assuming that the change in interest rates had occurred 
at the end of the reporting period and had been applied to re-measure those financial instruments held by the Group 
which expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk at the end of the reporting period. In respect of the exposure 
to cash flow interest rate risk arising from floating rate non-derivative instruments held by the Group at the end of the 
reporting period, the impact on the Group’s profit after tax (and retained profits) and other components of consolidated 
equity is estimated as an annualised impact on interest expense or income of such a change in interest rates. This 
analysis is performed on the same basis as that for 2018.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(c )  Foreign currency risk

Renminbi is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions involving Renminbi must take 
place either through the PBOC or other institutions authorised to buy and sell foreign exchange or at a swap centre.

The Group has significant exposure to foreign currency risk as majority of the Group’s lease liabilities (Note 37) and 
certain of the bank borrowings (Note 36) are denominated in foreign currencies, principally USD, Euro and Japanese 
Yen. Depreciation or appreciation of Renminbi against foreign currencies affects the Group’s results significantly because 
the Group’s foreign currency liabilities generally exceed its foreign currency assets.

The following table indicates the instantaneous change in the Group’s profit after tax and retained profits that would 
arise if foreign exchange rates to which the Group has significant exposure at the end of the reporting period had 
changed at that date, assuming all other risk variables remained constant. The range of such sensitivity was considered 
to be reasonably possible at the end of the reporting date.

2019

Appreciation/
(depreciation)  
of Renminbi 
against foreign 
currency

Increase/
(decrease) on 
profit after tax 
and retained 
profits  
RMB million

1%
(1%)

1%
(1%)

10%
(10%)

2018

434
(434)

26
(26)

94
(94)

Appreciation/
(depreciation)  
of Renminbi against 
foreign currency

Increase/ 
(decrease) on  
profit after tax  
and retained  
profits  
RMB million

1%
(1%)

1%
(1%)

10%
(10%)

195
(195)

28
(28)

103
(103)

USD

Euro

Japanese Yen

USD

Euro

Japanese Yen

170

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(c )  Foreign currency risk (continued)

Results of the analysis as presented in the above table represent an aggregation of the instantaneous effects on each 
of the Group entities’ profit after tax and retained profits measured in the respective functional currencies, translated into 
Renminbi at the exchange rate ruling at the end of the reporting period for presentation purposes.

The sensitivity analysis assumes that the change in foreign exchange rates had been applied to re-measure those 
financial instruments, borrowings, and lease liabilities held by the Group which expose the Group to foreign currency 
risk at the end of the reporting period, including inter-company payables and receivables within the Group which are 
denominated in a currency other than the functional currencies of the lender or the borrower. The analysis excludes 
differences that would result from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations into the Group’s 
presentation currency. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2018.

(d)  Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in a financial loss 
to the Group. The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, other 
receivables and derivative financial instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents

Substantially all of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited with major reputable PRC financial institutions, 
which management believes are of high credit quality. As the counterparties have favourable credit ratings, the Group 
does not expect there to be a risk of default.

Trade receivables

A significant portion of the Group’s air tickets are sold by agents participating in the Billing and Settlement Plan 
(“BSP”), a clearing scheme between airlines and sales agents organised by International Air Transportation Association. 
The use of the BSP reduces credit risk to the Group. As at 31 December 2019, the balance due from BSP agents 
amounted to RMB984 million (31 December 2018: RMB955 million). The credit risk exposure to BSP and the remaining 
trade receivables balance are monitored by the Group on an ongoing basis and the relevant credit risk is within 
management’s expectations.

The Group measures loss allowances for trade receivables at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs, which is calculated 
using a provision matrix. As the Group’s historical credit loss experience indicates significantly different loss patterns for 
different customer segments, the loss allowance based on past due status is further distinguished between air ticket 
receivables, mileage credits sales receivables, general aviation service receivables, receivables on cooperation flights and 
other trade receivables.

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4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(d)  Credit risk (continued)

The following table provides information about the Group’s exposure to credit risk and ECLs for air ticket receivables as 
at 31 December 2019:

Within 3 months
More than 3 months but less than 1 year
More than 1 year but less than 2 years
More than 2 years but less than 3 years
More than 3 years

Within 3 months
More than 3 months but less than 1 year
More than 1 year but less than 2 years
More than 2 years but less than 3 years
More than 3 years

31 December 2019

Expected 
loss rate
%

Gross 
carrying amount
RMB million

Loss 
allowance
RMB million

0.01%
50.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%

Expected 
loss rate
%

0.01%
50.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%

1,877
11
7
–
16

1,911

–
6
7
–
16

29

31 December 2018

Gross 
carrying amount
RMB million

Loss 
allowance
RMB million

1,940
8
2
6
16

1,972

–
4
2
6
16

28

Expected loss rates are estimated with reference to actual loss experience over the past years. These rates are adjusted 
to reflect differences between economic conditions during the period over which the historical data has been collected, 
current conditions and the Group’s view of economic conditions over the expected lives of the receivables.

The credit risk of mileage credits sales receivables, general aviation service receivables and receivables on cooperation 
flights are considered to be low. The Group does not make credit loss allowance for these receivables.

The Group measures credit loss allowance for other trade receivables amounted to RMB7 million (31 December 2018: 
RMB8 million) based on ECL’s.

172

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(d)  Credit risk (continued)

Movement in the loss allowance account in respect of trade receivables during the year is as follows:

Balance at 1 January

Amounts written off during the year
Impairment losses written back
Impairment losses recognised during the year

Balance at 31 December

Derivative financial instruments

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

36

(11)
(1)
12

36

37

(2)
(4)
5

36

The Group entered into derivative financial instruments arrangements with counterparties such as banks. Such 
arrangements are settled in net. As the counterparties have favourable credit ratings, the Group does not expect there 
to be a risk of default.

(e)  Jet fuel price risk

The Group’s results of operations may be significantly affected by fluctuations in fuel prices since the jet fuel expenses 
are a significant cost for the Group. A reasonable possible increase/decrease of 10% (2018:10%) in jet fuel price, with 
volume of fuel consumed and all other variables held constant, would have increased/decreased the fuel costs by 
approximately RMB4,281 million (2018: RMB4,292 million). The sensitivity analysis indicates the instantaneous change in 
the Group’s jet fuel costs that would arise assuming that the change in fuel price had occurred at the beginning of the 
financial year.

(f)  Capital management

The Group’s primary objectives in managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
and to generate sufficient profit to maintain growth and provide returns to its shareholders, by securing access to 
finance at a reasonable cost.

The Group manages the amount of capital in proportion to risk and manages its debt portfolio in conjunction with 
projected financing requirements. The Group monitors capital on the basis of the debt ratio, which is calculated as total 
liabilities divided by total assets. During 2019, the Group’s strategy, which was unchanged from 2018, was to maintain 
a debt ratio at a range of levels to support the operations and development of the Group’s business in the long run. In 
order to maintain or adjust the debt ratio, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, issue 
new shares, return capital to shareholders, raise new debt financing or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, the Group 
recognises right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities for almost all leases previously accounted for as 
operating leases as at 1 January 2019. This caused a significant increase in the Group’s total debt and hence the 
Group’s debt ratio rose from 68% to 75% on 1 January 2019 when compared to its position as at 31 December 2018.

Except for the compliance of certain financial covenants for maintaining the Group’s banking facilities and borrowings, 
the Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. The Group complied with the financial 
covenants attached to borrowings as of and for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(g)  Fair value

(i)  Financial instruments carried at fair value

Fair value hierarchy
The following table presents the carrying value of financial instruments measured at the end of the reporting 
period on a recurring basis, categorised into the three-level fair value hierarchy as defined in IFRS 13, Fair value 
measurement. The level into which a fair value measurement is classified is determined with reference to the 
observability and significance of the inputs used in the valuation technique as follows:

• 

• 

Level 1 valuations: Fair value measured using only Level 1 inputs i.e. unadjusted quoted prices in active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date

Level 2 valuations: Fair value measured using Level 2 inputs i.e. observable inputs which fail to meet Level 1, 
and not using significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are inputs for which market data are not 
available

• 

Level 3 valuations: Fair value measured using significant unobservable inputs

Fair value measurements as at 
31 December 2019 categorised into

Fair value at 
31 December 
2019
RMB million

Note

Level 1
RMB million

Level 2
RMB million

Level 3
RMB million

Recurring fair value 
measurement
Financial assets:
Other equity instrument 

investments:
– Non-listed shares
– Non-tradable shares

Other non-current financial 

assets:
– Listed shares
– Non-listed shares

Derivative financial assets:
– Interest rate swaps
– Cross currency swaps
– Forward foreign exchange 

contracts

26
26

26
26

27
27

27

188
861

74
32

3
187

31

–
–

74
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

3
187

31

188
861

–
32

–
–

–

174

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(g)  Fair value (continued)

(i)  Financial instruments carried at fair value (continued)

Fair value hierarchy (continued)

Fair value measurements as at 
31 December 2018 categorised into

Fair value at 
31 December 
2018
RMB million

Note

Level 1
RMB million

Level 2
RMB million

Level 3
RMB million

Recurring fair value 

measurement
Financial assets:
Other equity instrument 

investments:

– Non-listed shares
– Non-tradable shares

Other non-current financial 

assets:

– Listed shares
– Non-listed shares

Other financial assets

Derivative financial assets:
– Interest rate swaps

Financial liabilities:
Derivative financial liabilities:
– Cross currency swaps

26
26

26
26

26

27

27

234
846

71
32

440

75

(44)

–
–

71
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

440

75

(44)

234
846

–
32

–

–

–

During the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers among level 1, level 2 and level 3. 
The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy as at the end of the reporting 
period in which they occur.

Valuation techniques and inputs used in Level 2 fair value measurements

Fair value of interest rate swaps in derivative financial assets is measured by discounting the expected receivable 
or payable amounts under the assumption that these swaps had been terminated at the end of the reporting 
period. The discount rates used are the US Treasury bond yield curve as at the end of the reporting period.

Fair value of cross currency swaps is the estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to terminate the 
swaps at the end of the reporting period, taking into account current exchange rates and interest rates and the 
current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties.

Fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using quoted forward exchange rates at the 
reporting date and present value calculations based on high credit quality yield curves in the respective currencies.

Fair value of other financial assets are the estimated amount that the Group would receive at the end of the 
reporting period, taking into account the current creditworthiness of the other financial assets counterparties.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

4  Financial risk management and fair values (continued)
(g)  Fair value (continued)

(i)  Financial instruments carried at fair value (continued)

Information about Level 3 fair value measurements

Valuation technique Significant unobservable inputs

Range

Other equity instruments 

investments

– Non-listed shares (1)&(3)

Market comparable 

Discount for lack of marketability

22%

companies

– Non-tradable shares (2)&(3)

Discounted cash flow Expected profit growth rate 

10-12%

during the projection period

Perpetual growth rate
Perpetual dividend payout rate
Expected dividend payout rate 
during the projection period

Discount rate

3%
80%
34%

9.90%

Other non-current financial 

assets

– Non-listed shares (2)

Discounted cash flow Expected profit growth rate 

11%-15%

during the projection period

Perpetual growth rate
Perpetual dividend payout rate
Expected dividend payout rate 
during the projection period

1%-4%
80%
27%-43%

Discount rate

9.90%-11.08%

(1) 

(2) 

The fair value of non-listed shares are determined by using comparable listed companies adjusted for lack 
of marketability discount. The fair value measurement is negatively correlated to the discount for lack of 
marketability.

The fair value of these non-tradable shares and non-listed shares is determined by discounting projected 
cash flow series associated with respective investments. The valuation takes into account the expected 
profit growth rates and expected dividend payout rate of the investees. The discount rates used have been 
adjusted to reflect specific risks relating to respective investees. The fair value measurement is positively 
correlated to the expected profit growth rates during the projection period, perpetual growth rate, perpetual 
dividend payout rate and expected dividend payout rates during the projection period of respective 
investees, and negatively correlated to the discount rates.

(3)  Any gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of the Group’s unlisted equity securities held for strategic 
purposes are recognised in the fair value reserve (non-recycling) in other comprehensive income. Upon 
disposal of the equity securities, the amount accumulated in other comprehensive income is transferred 
directly to retained earnings.

(ii)  Financial instruments not carried at fair value

All other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, amounts due from/to related companies, 
trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, borrowings and lease liabilities are carried at amounts not 
materially different from their fair values as at 31 December 2019 and 2018.

176

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  Operating revenue

The Group is principally engaged in the operation of civil aviation, including the provision of passenger, cargo, mail 
delivery, and other extended transportation services.

(i)  Disaggregation of revenue

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers by major services lines is as follow:

Revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of 

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

IFRS 15:

Disaggregated by service lines
– Traffic revenue
– Passenger
– Cargo and mail
– Commission income
– Hotel and tour operation income
– General aviation income
– Ground services income
– Air catering income
– Cargo handling income
– Others

Revenue from other sources:
– Rental income

19(f)

138,502
9,615
2,952
712
564
409
353
359
654

154,120

202

154,322

128,038
10,026
2,619
676
476
429
391
254
536

143,445

178

143,623

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers by the timing of revenue recognition and by geographic 
markets is disclosed in Notes 6(a) and 6(b) respectively.

(ii)  Revenue expected to be recognised in the future arising from contracts with 

customers in existence at the reporting date
As at 31 December 2019, the aggregated amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance 
obligation, which is the unredeemed credits under the frequent flyer award programmes, amounted to RMB3,331 million 
(31 December 2018: RMB3,711 million) (Note 40). This amount represents revenue expected to be recognised in the 
future when the customers take possession of the goods or services redeemed.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

6  Segment reporting
(a)  Business segments

The Group has two reportable operating segments “airline transportation operations” and “other segments”, according 
to internal organisation structure, managerial needs and internal reporting system. “Airline transportation operations” 
comprises the Group’s passenger and cargo and mail operations. “Other segments” includes hotel and tour operation, 
air catering services, ground services, cargo handling and other miscellaneous services.

For the purposes of assessing segment performance and allocating resources between segments, the Group’s 
chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) monitors the results, assets and liabilities attributable to each reportable 
segment based on financial results prepared under the People’s Republic of China Accounting Standards for Business 
Enterprises (“PRC GAAP”). As such, the amount of each material reconciling item from the Group’s reportable segment 
profit before taxation, assets and liabilities, which arises from different accounting policies, are set out in Note 6(c).

Inter-segment sales and transfers are transacted with reference to the selling prices used for sales made to third parties 
at the then prevailing market prices.

Information regarding the Group’s reportable segments as provided to the Group’s CODM for the purposes of resource 
allocation and assessment of segment performance is set out below.

The segment results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2019 are as follows:

Airline 
transportation 
operations
RMB million

Other 
segments
RMB million

Elimination
RMB million

Unallocated*
RMB million

Total
RMB million

Disaggregated by timing of revenue 

recognition
Point in time
Over time

Revenue from external customers
Inter-segment sales

Reportable segment revenue

Reportable segment profit before 

taxation

Reportable segment profit after 

taxation

Other segment information
Income tax
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment loss
Credit loss
Share of associates’ results
Share of joint ventures’ results
Remeasurement of the originally held 
equity interests in a joint venture

Change in fair value of financial assets / 

liabilities

Non-current assets additions during  

the year#

2,996
149,799

152,591
204

152,795

3,020

2,224

796
64
5,833
24,256
38
11
–
–

–

–

2,747
2,785

1,731
3,801

5,532

558

446

112
41
43
354
–
2
–
–

–

–

44,851

739

(2,401)
(1,604)

–
(4,005)

(4,005)

2

2

–
(31)
(31)
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

490

423

67
–
–
–
–
–
(178)
365

13

265

–

3,342
150,980

154,322
–

154,322

4,070

3,095

975
74
5,845
24,610
38
13
(178)
365

13

265

45,590

178

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6  Segment reporting (continued)
(a)  Business segments (continued)

The segment results of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018 are as follows:

Disaggregated by timing of revenue 

recognition
Point in time
Over time

Revenue from external customers
Inter-segment sales

Reportable segment revenue

Reportable segment profit before 

taxation

Reportable segment profit after 

taxation

Other segment information
Income tax
Interest income
Interest expense
Depreciation and amortisation
Impairment loss
Credit loss
Share of associates’ results
Share of joint ventures’ results
Fair value movement of financial 

instruments

Non-current assets additions during  

the year#

Airline 
transportation 
operations
RMB million

Other 
segments
RMB million

Elimination
RMB million

Unallocated*
RMB million

Total
RMB million

2,532
139,671

141,968
235

142,203

3,448

2,567

881
107
3,054
14,084
12
2
–
–

–

37,155

1,975
3,822

1,655
4,142

5,797

604

457

147
18
148
282
–
1
–
–

–

406

(1,596)
(2,781)

–
(4,377)

(4,377)

(60)

(60)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

495

492

3
–
–
–
–
–
263
200

12

–

2,911
140,712

143,623
–

143,623

4,487

3,456

1,031
125
3,202
14,366
12
3
263
200

12

37,561

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

6  Segment reporting (continued)
(a)  Business segments (continued)

The segment assets and liabilities of the Group as at 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 are as follows:

As at 31 December 2019
Reportable segment assets
Reportable segment liabilities

As at 31 December 2018
Reportable segment assets
Reportable segment liabilities

Airline 
transportation 
operations
RMB million

Other 
segments
RMB million

Elimination
RMB million

Unallocated*
RMB million

Total
RMB million

295,439
230,738

234,755
167,806

7,048
2,458

6,479
2,391

(3,662)
(3,604)

(1,829)
(1,769)

7,821
–

7,250
44

306,646
229,592

246,655
168,472

* 

# 

Unallocated assets primarily include interest in associates and joint ventures, derivative financial assets and equity securities. 
Unallocated results primarily include the share of results of associates and joint ventures, dividend income from equity securities, 
and the fair value movement of financial instruments recognised through profit or loss.

The additions of non-current assets do not include interest in associates and joint ventures, other equity instrument investments, 
other non-current financial assets, derivative financial assets and deferred tax assets.

(b)  Geographical information

The Group’s business segments operate in three main geographical areas, even though they are managed on a 
worldwide basis.

The Group’s revenue by geographical segment are analysed based on the following criteria:

(1) 

Traffic revenue from services of both origin and destination within the PRC (excluding Hong Kong Special 
Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan (“Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan”)), is 
classified as domestic revenue. Traffic revenue with origin and destination among PRC, Hong Kong, Macau and 
Taiwan is classified as Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan revenue; while that with origin from or destination to other 
overseas markets is classified as international revenue.

(2)  Revenue from commission income, hotel and tour operation, air catering services, ground services, cargo handling 

and other miscellaneous services are classified on the basis of where the services are performed.

Domestic
International
Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

110,112
41,651
2,559

154,322

103,287
37,773
2,563

143,623

The major revenue earning asset of the Group is its aircraft fleet which is registered in the PRC and is deployed 
across its worldwide route network. Majority of the Group’s other assets are located in the PRC. CODM 
considers that there is no suitable basis for allocating such assets and related liabilities to geographical locations. 
Accordingly, geographical segment assets and liabilities are not disclosed.

180

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6  Segment reporting (continued)
(c )  Reconciliation of reportable segment profit before income tax, assets 

and liabilities to the consolidated figures as reported in the consolidated 
financial statements

Profit before income tax
Reportable segment profit before taxation
Capitalisation of exchange difference of specific loans
Government grants

Consolidated profit before income tax

Assets
Reportable segment assets
Capitalisation of exchange difference of specific loans
Government grants
Adjustments arising from business combinations under  

common control

Others

Consolidated total assets

Liabilities
Reportable segment liabilities
Others

Consolidated total liabilities

Notes:

Note

6(a)
(i)
(ii)

Note

6(a)
(i)
(ii)

(iii)

Note

6(a)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

4,070
(16)
1

4,055

4,487
(124)
1

4,364

31 December
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million

306,646
56
(6)

237
(5)

246,655
72
(7)

237
(8)

306,928

246,949

31 December
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million

229,592
7

229,599

168,472
8

168,480

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, exchange difference arising on translation of specific loans and related interest denominated 
in a foreign currency is capitalised as part of the cost of qualifying assets. Under IFRSs, such exchange difference is recognised 
in income statement unless the exchange difference represents an adjustment to interest.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, assets related government grants (other than special funds) are deducted from the cost of 
the related assets. Special funds granted by the government and clearly defined in the approval documents as part of “capital 
reserve” are accounted for as increase in capital reserve. Under IFRSs, assets related government grants are deducted to the 
cost of the related assets. The difference is resulted from government grants received in previous years and are recognised in 
capital reserve under PRC GAAP.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, the Company accounts for the business combination under common control by applying the 
pooling-of-interest method. Under the pooling-of-interest method, the difference between the historical carrying amount of the 
acquiree and the consideration paid is accounted for as an equity transaction. Business combinations under common control 
are accounted for as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the earliest comparative year presented or, if later, at the 
date that common control was established; for this purpose, relevant comparative figures are restated under PRC GAAP. Under 
IFRSs, the Company adopts the purchase accounting method for acquisition of business under common control.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

7  Flight operation expenses

Jet fuel costs
Flight personnel payroll and welfare
Air catering expenses
Civil Aviation Development Fund
Aircraft operating lease charges
Training expenses
Aircraft insurance
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

42,814
12,709
3,975
2,332
1,412
1,142
192
5,990

70,566

42,922
11,467
3,734
2,940
8,726
894
163
5,370

76,216

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

8  Maintenance expenses

Aviation repair and maintenance charges
Staff payroll and welfare
Maintenance materials

9  Aircraft and transportation service expenses

Landing and navigation fees
Ground service and other charges

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

8,565
2,976
1,516

13,057

8,394
2,736
1,574

12,704

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

17,658
8,933

26,591

15,980
8,399

24,379

182

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10  Promotion and selling expenses

Ticket office expenses
Sales commissions (Note)
Computer reservation services
Advertising and promotion
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3,299
2,214
959
314
969

7,755

3,173
2,027
892
217
727

7,036

Note:  The Group applies the practical expedient in IFRS 15 and therefore expenses the portion of sales commissions which are 

regarded as directly related incremental costs of obtaining transportation contracts, as the amortisation period is less than one 
year.

11  General and administrative expenses

General corporate expenses
Auditors’ remuneration

– Audit services
– Non-audit services

Other taxes and levies

12  Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

– Owned assets
– Finance leases

Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Other amortisation

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3,705
20

18
2

348

4,073

3,477
18

15
3

275

3,770

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

9,029
–
15,263
328

24,620

8,193
5,776
–
339

14,308

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

13  Staff costs

Salaries, wages and welfare
Defined contribution retirement scheme
Other retirement welfare subsidy
Early retirement benefits (Note 47)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

24,647
2,794
206
–

27,647

22,445
2,387
197
1

25,030

Staff costs relating to flight operation and maintenance are also included in the respective total amounts disclosed 
separately in Note 7 and Note 8 above.

Five highest paid individuals
None of the directors (2018: none), whose emoluments are reflected in Note 61, is among the five highest paid 
individuals in the Group for 2019. The aggregate emoluments in respect of the five (2018: five) individuals during the 
year are as follows:

Salaries, wages and welfare
Retirement scheme contributions

2019
RMB’000

9,353
791

10,144

2018
RMB’000

9,157
738

9,895

The emoluments of the five (2018: five) individuals with the highest emoluments are within the following bands:

HK$2,000,001 to HK$2,500,000

2019
Number of 
individuals

5

2018
Number of 
individuals

5

184

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14  Other net income

Government grants (Note)
Gains on disposal of property, plant and equipment and construction in 
progress

– Aircraft and spare engines and construction in progress
– Other property, plant and equipment

Penalty income
Others

2019
RMB million

4,129

2018
RMB million

4,348

34
106
273
582

5,124

584
18
216
272

5,438

Note:  Government grants mainly represent (i) subsidies based on certain amount of tax paid granted by governments to the Group; 

(ii) subsidies granted by various local governments to encourage the Group to operate certain routes to cities where these 
governments are located.

There are no unfulfilled conditions and other contingencies related to subsidies that have been recognised during the year ended 
31 December 2019.

15  Interest expense

Interest on borrowings
Interest relating to leases liabilities (Note 21)
Interest relating to obligations under finance leases

Total interest expense on financial liabilities not at fair value through  

profit or loss

Less: interest expense capitalised (Note(ii))

Interest rate swaps: cash flow hedge, reclassified from equity (Note 17&21)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note(i))

1,840
5,302
–

7,142
(1,279)

5,863
(18)

5,845

1,891
–
2,409

4,300
(1,085)

3,215
(13)

3,202

Notes:

(i) 

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 
comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

(ii) 

The weighted average interest rate used for interest capitalisation was 3.51% per annum in 2019 (2018: 3.54%).

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

16  Income tax
(a)  Income tax expense in the consolidated income statement

PRC income tax

– Provision for the year
– Under/(over)-provision in prior year

Deferred tax (Note 29)
Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Income tax expense

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,611
10

1,621

(650)

971

962
(27)

935

65

1,000

In respect of a majority of the Group’s airlines operation outside mainland China, the Group has either obtained 
exemptions from overseas taxation pursuant to the bilateral aviation agreements between the overseas governments 
and the PRC government, or has sustained tax losses in those overseas jurisdictions. Accordingly, no provision for 
overseas income tax has been made for overseas airlines operation in the current and prior years.

For the year of 2019, the Company and its branches are liable to income tax rates ranging from
15% to 25% (2018: 15% to 25%), and the subsidiaries of the Company are liable to income tax rates ranging from 
15% to 30% (2018: 15% to 30%). China Southern West Australian Flying College Pty Ltd. (“Flying College”), one of the 
subsidiaries of the Company, is located in Australia and is subject to income tax at 30%. Certain subsidiaries of the 
Company are located in Hong Kong and are subject to income tax at 16.5%.

(b)  Reconciliation between actual tax expense and calculated tax based on 

accounting profit at applicable tax rates

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

Profit before income tax

Notional tax on profit before taxation, calculated at the rates 

applicable to profits in the tax jurisdictions concerned (Note 16(a))

Adjustments for tax effect of:
Non-deductible expenses
Share of results of associates and joint ventures and other  

non-taxable income

Unused tax losses and deductible temporary differences for  

which no deferred tax assets were recognised

Utilisation of unused tax losses and deductible temporary differences 
for which no deferred tax assets were recognised in prior years

Under/(over)-provision in prior year
Super deduction of research and development expenses

Tax expense

4,055

964

18

(50)

62

(3)
10
(30)

971

4,364

1,089

23

(121)

73

(17)
(27)
(20)

1,000

186

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17  Other comprehensive income

Cash flow hedges:
Effective portion of changes in fair value of hedging  

instruments recognised during the year

Reclassification adjustments for amounts transferred to profit or loss:

– interest expense (Note 15)

Net deferred tax credited / (debited) to other comprehensive income

Equity investments measured at FVOCI:
Changes in fair value recognised during the year
Net deferred tax credited / (debited) to other comprehensive income

Share of other comprehensive income of an associate
Will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Differences resulting from the translation of foreign currency 

financial statements

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

(54)

(18)
17

(55)

(31)
7

(24)

3

(7)

42

(13)
(7)

22

319
(80)

239

(4)

(2)

18  Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share for the year ended 31 December 2019 is based on the profit attributable 
to equity shareholders of the Company of RMB2,640 million (2018: RMB2,895 million) and the weighted average of 
12,267,172,286 shares in issue during the year (2018: 10,718,916,979 shares).

Issued ordinary shares at 1 January
Effect of issuance of A shares
Effect of issuance of H shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares at 31 December

2019
million

12,267
–
–

12,267

2018
million

10,088
450
181

10,719

The amounts of diluted earnings per share are the same as basic earnings per share as there were no dilutive potential 
ordinary shares in existence for the years ended 31 December 2019 and 2018.

187

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

19  Property, plant and equipment, net

Aircraft

Investment 
properties
RMB million

Buildings
RMB million

Owned
RMB million

Acquired 
under finance 
leases
RMB million

Other flight 
equipment 
including 
rotables
RMB million

Machinery, 
equipment 
and vehicles
RMB million

Total
RMB million

794
–
–
–
19
–
–
–

813

–

813

–
–

–

(327)

(16)

–
–

470

12,611
51
48
489
(19)
–
–
(26)

13,154

105,974
–
3,644
4,792
–
3,940
(1,804)
(7,784)

108,762

99,367
–
7,049
8,038
–
(3,940)
–
(154)

110,360

–

–

(110,360)

13,154

108,762

–
181

2,515

327

–

–
(131)

–
3,034

871

–

–

2,641
(2,032)

16,046

113,276

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

21,906
12
1,250
401
–
–
(106)
(774)

22,689

(81)

22,608

–
2,380

200

–

–

–
(803)

24,385

6,629
34
424
414
–
–
–
(252)

7,249

–

7,249

18
860

456

–

–

–
(330)

8,253

247,281
97
12,415
14,134
–
–
(1,910)
(8,990)

263,027

(110,441)

152,586

18
6,455

4,042

–

(16)

2,641
(3,296)

162,430

Cost:
At 1 January 2018
Acquisitions through business combinations
Additions
Transfer from construction in progress
Reclassification on change of holding intention
Reclassification on exercise of purchase option
Transfer to assets held for sale
Disposals

At 31 December 2018

Impact on initial application of IFRS 16  

(Note 2(b))

At 1 January 2019

Acquisitions through business combinations
Additions
Transferred from construction in progress 

(Note 20)

Reclassification on change of holding intention:
– transferred to other property, plant and 

equipment, net

– transferred to right-of-use assets, net  

(Note 21)

Transferred from right-of-use assets on 
exercise of purchase option (Note 21)

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

188

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  Property, plant and equipment, net (continued)

Aircraft

Investment 
properties
RMB million

Buildings
RMB million

Owned
RMB million

Acquired 
under finance 
leases
RMB million

Other flight 
equipment 
including 
rotables
RMB million

Machinery, 
equipment 
and vehicles
RMB million

Total
RMB million

270
29
15

–
–
–
–

314

–

314

29

(172)

(5)

–
–
–

–

166

304

499

3,965
413
(15)

–
–
(10)
–

4,353

–

4,353

444

172

–

–
(52)
–

–

4,917

11,129

8,801

50,995
5,667
–

1,072
(1,582)
(6,912)
(322)

48,918

17,011
5,776
–

(1,072)
–
(154)
–

21,561

11,678
1,462
–

–
(104)
(664)
(1)

4,436
622
–

–
–
(240)
–

12,371

4,818

88,355
13,969
–

–
(1,686)
(7,980)
(323)

92,335

–

(21,561)

48,918

6,390

–

–

874
(1,993)
18

(30)

54,177

59,099

59,844

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

88,799

–

12,371

1,483

–

–

–
(698)
–

(37)

13,119

11,266

10,318

–

(21,561)

4,818

683

70,774

9,029

–

–

–
(238)
–

–

5,263

2,990

2,431

–

(5)

874
(2,981)
18

(67)

77,642

84,788

170,692

Accumulated depreciation and  

impairment losses:

At 1 January 2018
Depreciation charge for the year
Reclassification on change of holding intention
Reclassification on exercise of  

purchase options

Transferred to assets held for sale
Disposal
Impairment losses written off on disposals

At 31 December 2018

Impact on initial application of IFRS 16  

(Note 2(b))

At 1 January 2019

Depreciation charge for the year
Reclassification on change of holding intention:
– transferred to other property, plant and 

equipment, net

– transferred to right-of-use assets, net  

(Note 21)

Transferred from right-of-use assets on 
exercise of purchase option (Note 21)

Disposals
Provision for impairment losses (Note 19(d))
Impairment losses written off on disposals 

(Note 19(c))

At 31 December 2019

Net book value:
At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

(a)  As at 31 December 2019, the accumulated impairment provision of aircraft and flight equipment of the Group is 

RMB985 million (31 December 2018: RMB1,034 million).

(b)  As at 31 December 2019, certain aircraft of the Group with an aggregate carrying value of approximately RMB339 

million (31 December 2018: RMB373 million) were mortgaged under certain loans (Note 36(a)(i)).

(c) 

For the year ended 31 December 2019, certain aircraft and other flight equipment were disposed, against which 
impairment provision had been provided in previous years and the impairment provision of RMB30 million for these 
aircraft and RMB37 million for the other flight equipment was written off respectively.

189

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

19  Property, plant and equipment, net (continued)

(d)  As at 31 December 2019, the Group reviewed the recoverable amounts of the aircraft and related assets and 

made an additional impairment provision of RMB18 million for its aircraft. The estimates of recoverable amounts 
were based on the greater of the assets’ fair value less costs of disposal and the value in use. The fair value on 
which the recoverable amount is based on is categorised as a level 3 measurement and it was determined by 
reference to the recent observable market prices for the aircraft fleet and flight equipment. In cases when value in 
use are based, the pre-tax discount rate used in the estimate is 9.00%.

(e)  As at 31 December 2019 and up to the date of approval of these financial statements, the Group is in the process 

of applying for the property title certificates in respect of the properties located in Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, 
Xiamen, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Beijing, Henan, Xinjiang, Hainan, Shanghai, Hubei, Chongqing, Liaoning and Chengdu, 
in which the Group has interests and for which such certificates have not been granted. As at 31 December 2019, 
carrying value of such properties of the Group amounted to RMB7,106 million (31 December 2018: RMB5,289 
million). The Directors of the Company are of the opinion that the use of and the conduct of operating activities 
at the properties referred to above are not affected by the fact that the Group has not yet obtained the relevant 
property title certificates.

(f) 

The Group leased out investment properties and facilities under operating leases. The leases typically run for an 
initial period of one to ten years, with an option to renew the leases after that date at which time all terms are 
renegotiated. None of the leases includes contingent rentals. In this connection, rental income totalling RMB202 
million (2018: RMB178 million) was recognised by the Group during the year in respect of the leases. Directors 
estimated the fair value of these investment properties approximate the carrying amount.

The properties are reclassified between investment properties and other property, plant and equipment, upon the 
intention of commencement or cessation of lease.

The Group’s total future minimum lease income under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within 1 year
After 1 year but within 5 years
After 5 years

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

38
74
36

148

55
39
7

101

(g)  As at 31 December 2019, certain investment properties of the Group with an aggregate carrying value of 

approximately RMB15 million (31 December 2018: RMB18 million) were mortgaged for certain bank borrowings 
(Note 36(a)(i)).

190

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20  Construction in progress

At 1 January 2018
Additions
Transferred to property, plant and equipment
Transferred to others
Transferred to lease prepayments
Disposals

At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2019
Additions
Transferred to property, plant and equipment  

(Note 19)

Transferred to right-of-use assets (Note 21)
Transferred to others

At 31 December 2019

Advance 
payment for 
aircraft and 
flight 
equipment
RMB million

27,543
19,973
(13,231)
–
–
(2,605)

31,680

31,680
10,512

(1,071)
(10,202)
–

30,919

Others
RMB million

Total
RMB million

2,690
4,486
(903)
(155)
(7)
–

6,111

6,111
5,780

(2,971)
(313)
(304)

8,303

30,233
24,459
(14,134)
(155)
(7)
(2,605)

37,791

37,791
16,292

(4,042)
(10,515)
(304)

39,222

191

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

21  Right-of-use assets

Cost:
At 1 January 2019
Additions
Transfer from construction in progress 

(Note 20)

Reclassification with investment  

properties (Note 19)

Transferred to property, plant and 

equipment on exercise of purchase  
option (Note 19)

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated amortisation:
At 1 January 2019
Amortisation charge for the year
Reclassification with investment  

properties (Note 19)

Transferred to property, plant and 

equipment on exercise of purchase  
option (Note 19)

Disposals

At 31 December 2019

Net book value:
At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2019

Note 1:

Aircraft and 
engines
RMB million

Land use 
rights
RMB million
(Note 1)

Buildings
RMB million

Others
RMB million

Total
RMB million

187,991
20,609

10,202

–

(2,641)
(780)

215,381

55,048
14,485

–

(874)
(769)

67,890

147,491

132,943

3,671
225

110

16

–
–

1,300
1,490

–

–

–
–

138
51

203

–

–
–

193,100
22,375

10,515

16

(2,641)
(780)

4,022

2,790

392

222,585

701
107

5

–
–

813

3,209

2,970

–
637

–

–
–

637

2,153

1,300

–
34

–

–
–

34

358

138

55,749
15,263

5

(874)
(769)

69,374

153,211

137,351

The Group was formally granted the rights to use certain parcels of land by the relevant PRC authorities for periods of 30 to 70 years, 
which expire between 2020 and 2073.

As at 31 December 2019 and up to the date of approval of these financial statements, the Group is in the process of applying for land 
use right certificates in respect of certain land used by the Group. As at 31 December 2019, carrying value of such land use rights of 
the Group amounted to RMB843 million (31 December 2018: RMB922 million). The Directors of the Company are of the opinion that 
the use of and the conduct of operating activities at the land referred to above are not affected by the fact that the Group has not yet 
obtained the relevant land use right certificates.

As at 31 December 2019, certain land use rights of the Group with an aggregate carrying value of approximately RMB87 million (31 
December 2018: lease prepayments of RMB88 million) were mortgaged for certain bank borrowings (Note 36(a)(i)).

192

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21  Right-of-use assets (continued)

In addition to the amortisation charged, the analysis of expense items in relation to leases recognised in profit or loss is 
as follows:

Interest on lease liabilities (Note 15)
Interest rate swaps: cash flow hedge, reclassified from equity (Note 15)
Expense relating to leases with remaining lease term ending on  

or before 31 December 2019

Expense relating to leases of variable lease payments not included  

in the measurement of lease liabilities

Total minimum lease payments for leases previously classified  

as operating leases under IAS 17

2019
RMB million

5,302
(18)

2,092

81

–

2018
RMB million
(Note)

2,409
(13)

–

–

9,920

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and adjusted the opening balances at 1 
January 2019 to recognise right-of-use assets relating to leases which were previously classified as operating leases under 
IAS 17. The depreciated carrying amount of the finance lease assets which were previously included in property, plant and 
equipment and lease prepayments is also identified as right-of-use assets. After initial recognition of right-of-use assets at 1 
January 2019, the Group as a lessee is required to recognise the amortisation of right-of-use assets, instead of the previous 
policy of recognising rental expenses incurred under operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Under this 
approach, the comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

During the year, additions to right-of-use assets were primarily related to the capitalised lease payments payable under 
new tenancy agreements and newly acquired leasehold aircraft.

Details of total cash outflow for leases and the maturity analysis of lease liabilities are set out in Note 34(d) and Note 37 
respectively.

22 Goodwill

Cost and carrying amount:

Impairment tests for cash-generating units containing goodwill

Southern Airlines Group Import and Export Trading Company (“SAIETC”)
Xiamen Airlines Culture and Media Co., Ltd. (“XACM”)

Total

2019
RMB million

237

2018
RMB million

237

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

182
55

237

182
55

237

The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculation. The calculation uses cash flow 
projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period. Cash flows beyond the 
five-year period are extrapolated using an estimated weighted average growth rate which does not exceed the long-
term average growth rates for the business in which the CGU operates.

The cash flows of the above entities are discounted using pre-tax discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 13.5% (2018: 
10.5% to 13.5%).

193

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

23  Subsidiaries

All the subsidiaries of the Company are unlisted. The following list contains only the particulars of subsidiaries which 
principally affect the results, assets or liabilities of the Group.

Name of company

Place of 
establishment/ 
operation

Proportion 
of ownership 
interest held by 

Registered capital

the Company Principal activity

China Southern Airlines Henan Airlines  

PRC

RMB6,000,000,000

60% Airline transportation

Company Limited (i)

Xiamen Airlines (i)&(v)

Chongqing Airlines Company Limited (i)

Shantou Airlines Company Limited (i)

Zhuhai Airlines Company Limited (i)

Guizhou Airlines Company Limited (i)

Guangzhou Nanland Air Catering Company 

Limited (ii)

PRC

PRC

PRC

PRC

PRC

PRC

RMB8,000,000,000

55% Airline transportation

RMB1,200,000,000

60% Airline transportation

RMB280,000,000

60% Airline transportation

RMB250,000,000

60% Airline transportation

RMB1,220,000,000

60% Airline transportation

RMB240,000,000

70.50% Air catering

Guangzhou Baiyun International Logistic  

PRC

RMB50,000,000

61% Logistics operations

Company Limited (i)

Beijing Southern Airlines Ground Services 

PRC

RMB18,000,000

100% Airport ground services

Company Limited (i)

Nan Lung International Freight Limited 

Hong Kong

HKD3,270,000

51% Freight services

Southern Airlines General Aviation Company 

PRC

RMB1,000,000,000

100% General aviation

Limited (i)

SAIETC (i)

PRC

RMB15,000,000

100% Import and export agent 

services

Zhuhai Xiang Yi Aviation Technology Company 

PRC

RMB469,848,000

100% Flight simulation services

Limited (i)

China Southern Airlines Xiongan Airlines  

PRC

RMB600,000,000

100% Airline transportation

Company Limited (i)

Flying College 

Australia

AUD39,651,627

84.30% Pilot training services

Southern Airlines Freight and Logistics 

PRC

RMB1,000,000,000

100% Logistics operations

(Guangzhou) Co.,Ltd (i)

Shenyang Northern Aircraft Maintenance Co.,  

PRC

RMB31,520,545

100% Aircraft repair and 

Ltd. (“Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance”) (i) & (iii)

Guangdong Southern Airline Pearl Aviation 

PRC

RMB5,000,000

Services Company Limited (“Pearl Aviation 
Services”) (i) & (iv)

maintenance services

100% Hotel management 
services

194

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Subsidiaries (continued)

(i) 

These subsidiaries are PRC limited liability companies.

(ii) 

This subsidiary is a sino-foreign equity joint venture company established in the PRC.

(iii)  Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance

Pursuant to the equity transfer agreement entered into between the Company and a third party, the Company 
acquired 21% equity interests Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance, a former joint venture of the Company, at a 
cash consideration of RMB14 million on 23 April 2019. On the same date, the Company obtained control over 
Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance, and Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the 
Company. The acquisition of Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance enables the Group to engage in comprehensive 
maintenance service.

In the period from the acquisition date to 31 December 2019, Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance contributed 
revenue of RMB39 million and profit of RMB1 million to the Group’s results. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 
January 2019, management estimates that consolidated revenue would have been increased by RMB21 million, 
and consolidated profit for the year would have been increased by RMB4 million. In determining these amounts, 
management have assumed that the fair value adjustments that arose on the acquisition date would have been 
the same if the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2019. The information above is the amount before inter-
company eliminations.

The above acquisitions had the following effect on the Group’s assets and liabilities on acquisition date:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Total net identifiable assets

Analysis of the net inflow of cash and cash equivalents  

in respect of the acquisitions:

Cash consideration paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired

Net cash inflow

Recognised 
values on 
acquisition
RMB million

31
41
(6)
(3)

63

(14)
26

12

195

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

23  Subsidiaries (continued)

(iv)  Pearl Aviation Services

Pursuant to the equity transfer agreement entered into between the Company and the other third parties 
shareholders of Pearl Aviation Services, the Company acquired 100% equity interests in Pearl Aviation Services 
at a consideration of RMB9 million on 17 December 2019. On the same date, the Company obtained the control 
of Pearl Aviation Services, and Pearl Aviation Services became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The 
acquisition of Pearl Aviation Services enables the Group to engage in hotel management services business.

As the acquisition was completed in December, limited amount of revenue and profit were contributed to the 
Group by Pearl Aviation Services. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2019, management estimates that 
consolidated revenue would have been increased by RMB499 million, and consolidated profit for the year would 
have been increased by RMB17 million. In determining these amounts, management have assumed that the fair 
value adjustments that arose on the acquisition date would have been the same if the acquisition had occurred on 
1 January 2019. The information above is the amount before inter-company eliminations.

The above acquisitions had the following effect on the Group’s assets and liabilities on acquisition date:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities

Total net identifiable assets

Analysis of the net inflow of cash and cash equivalents  

in respect of the acquisitions:

Cash consideration paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired

Net cash inflow

Recognised 
values on 
acquisition
RMB million

19
252
(257)

14

(9)
173

164

196

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23  Subsidiaries (continued)

(v)  Material non-controlling interests

As at 31 December 2019, the balance of total non-controlling interests is RMB13,223 million (31 December 2018: 
RMB13,212 million), of which RMB9,003 million (31 December 2018: RMB9,035 million) is for Xiamen Airlines. The 
rest of non-controlling interests are not individually material.

Set out below are the summarised financial information for Xiamen Airlines.

Non-controlling interests percentage

Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets
Carrying amount of non-controlling interests

Revenue
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income
Profit allocated to non-controlling interests
Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

Net cash generated from operating activities
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities

The information above is the amount before inter-company eliminations.

2019
RMB million

45%

3,010
53,855
(15,494)
(22,233)
19,138
9,003

32,612
784
798
350
45

8,259
(1,990)
(6,097)

2018
RMB million
(Note)

45%

4,029
43,234
(14,397)
(13,678)
19,188
9,035

30,225
915
1,111
393
68

3,559
889
(4,363)

Note:  The subsidiary has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and adjusted the opening balances 

at 1 January 2019 to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities relating to leases which were previously classified 
as operating leases under IAS 17. Under this approach, the comparative information is not restated.

197

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

24  Interest in associates

Share of net assets

2019
RMB million

3,322

2018
RMB million

3,181

All the Group’s associates are unlisted without quoted market price. The particulars of the Group’s principal associates 
as at 31 December 2019 are as follows:

Proportion of ownership 
interest held by

Place of 
establishment/ 
operation

Group’s 
effective 
interest The Company

Proportion of 
voting rights 
held by 

Subsidiaries

the Group Principal activity

Southern Airlines Group Finance  
Co.,Ltd. (“SA Finance”) (Note)

Sichuan Airlines Co.,Ltd.  

(“Sichuan Airlines”)

PRC

PRC

48.59%

41.81%

6.78%

39%

39%

Southern Airlines Culture and Media  

PRC

40%

40%

Co., Ltd.(“SACM”)

Shenyang Konggang Logistic Co.,Ltd. 

PRC

42.80%

42.80%

(“Shenyang Konggang”)

Xinjiang Civil Aviation Property  

PRC

42.80%

42.80%

Management Limited

48.59% Provision of airlines 
financial services

39% Airline transportation

40% Advertising services

42.80% Ground services

42.80% Property 

management

–

–

–

–

Note:  In March 2019, the Group made capital injection of RMB500 million into SA Finance, and the share of equity interest held by the 

Group increased from 33.98% to 48.59%;

There is no associate that is individually material to the Group.

The Group has interest in a number of individually immaterial associates that are accounted for using the equity method. 
The aggregate financial information of these associates is summarised as following:

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial associates
Aggregate amounts of the Group’s share of:
(Loss)/profit from continuing operations
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

2019
RMB million

3,322

(178)
3

(175)

2018
RMB million
(Note)

3,181

263
(4)

259

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

198

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25  Interest in joint ventures

Share of net assets

2019
RMB million

3,124

2018
RMB million

2,812

All the Group’s joint ventures are unlisted without quoted market price. The particulars of the Group’s principal joint 
ventures as at 31 December 2019 are as follows:

Proportion of ownership 
interest held by

Place of 
establishment/ 
operation

Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance 

PRC

Engineering Co.,Ltd. (“GAMECO”)

Group’s 
effective 
interest The Company

50%

50%

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co., Ltd.  

PRC

50%

50%

(“MTU”)

Proportion of 
voting rights 
held by 

Subsidiaries

the Group Principal activity

–

–

50% Aircraft repair and 

maintenance 
services

50% Aircraft repair and 

maintenance 
services

There is no joint venture that is individually material to the Group.

The Group has interest in a number of individually immaterial joint ventures that are accounted for using the equity 
method. The aggregate financial information of these joint ventures is summarised as follows:

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial joint ventures
Aggregate amounts of the Group’s share of:
Profit from continuing operations and total comprehensive income

26  Financial assets

Non-current financial assets

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3,124

365

2,812

200

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

Other equity instrument investments (FVOCI)

– Non-listed shares
– Non-tradable shares

Other non-current financial assets (FVPL)

– Listed shares
– Non-listed shares

(i)
(i)

(i)
(i)

188
861

1,049

74
32

106

234
846

1,080

71
32

103

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

26  Financial assets (continued)

Current financial assets

Other financial assets

Notes:

Note

(ii)

2019
RMB million

–

2018
RMB million

440

(i) 

Dividend income generated from the investments amounted to RMB23 million for the year of 2019 in total (2018: RMB20 million).

(ii) 

This represents certain financing product the Group purchased from a commercial bank.

27  Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)

Current assets:
Cross currency swaps
Forward foreign exchange contracts

Non-current assets:
Interest rate swaps

Current liabilities:
Cross currency swaps

Notes:

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

(i)
(ii)

(iii)

(i)

187
31

218 

3

–

–
–

–

75

(44)

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

The Group entered into cross currency swaps to mitigate its interest rate risk and currency risk. Under the cross currency 
swaps, the Group agrees with other third parties to exchange the floating interest and principal payments in USD for fixed 
interest rate ranging from 3.39% to 3.67% per annum (2018: 3.20% to 3.91% per annum) and principal payments in RMB. 
At 31 December 2019, the fair value of the cross currency swaps amounted to RMB187 million was recognised in assets (31 
December 2018: RMB44 million recognised in liabilities). The notional principal of the outstanding cross currency swaps as at 31 
December 2019 amounted to USD620 million (31 December 2018: USD979 million).

In 2019, the Group entered into forward foreign exchange contracts to mitigate its forward currency risk. At 31 December 2019, 
the fair value of the forward foreign exchange contracts amounted to RMB31 million was recognised in assets (31 December 
2018: nil). The notional principal of the outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts as at 31 December 2019 amounted to 
USD1,035 million (31 December 2018: nil).

In 2015, the Group entered into interest rate swaps to mitigate its cash flow interest rate risk. The interest rate swaps allow the 
Group to pay at fixed rate from 1.64% to 1.72% per annum to receive LIBOR. The notional principal of the outstanding interest 
rate swap contracts as at 31 December 2019 amounted to USD325 million (31 December 2018: USD393 million).

200

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28  Changes in fair value of financial assets/(liabilities)

Other non-current financial assets (FVPL) (Note 26)
Cross currency swaps (Note 27)
Forward foreign exchange contracts (Note 27)

29  Deferred tax assets/(liabilities)
(a)  Movements of net deferred tax assets are as follows:

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3
231
31

265

(8)
20
–

12

At 
31 December 
2018
RMB million

Impact on 
Initial 
application 
of IFRS 16
RMB million

Acquired 
in business 
combination
RMB million

(Charged)/ 
credited to 
consolidated 
income 
statement
RMB million

Credited 
to other 
comprehensive 
income
RMB million

At 
31 December 
2019
RMB million

For the year ended 31 December 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Net effect on right-of-use assets
Accrued expenses
Provision for major overhauls
Contract liabilities/other non-current 

liabilities

Provision for impairment losses
Provision for tax losses
Change in fair value of derivative  

financial liabilities

Others

Deferred tax liabilities:
Accrued expenses
Depreciation allowances under tax in 
excess of the related depreciation  
under accounting

Change in fair value of derivative  

financial assets

Change in fair value of other equity 

instrument investments

Change in fair value of other non-current 

financial assets

Change in fair value of financial assets
Fair value re-measurement of identifiable 

assets in business combination

Others

Net deferred tax assets

–
929
697

81
210
22

11
85

2,035

(211)

(618)

(18)

(236)

(19)
–

(25)
(18)

(1,145)

890

1,312
–
(417)

–
–
–

–
–

895

–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–

–

895

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

(6)
–

(6)

(6)

511
185
(18)

(13)
(129)
(15)

(11)
29

539

20

140

–

–

(1)
(54)

2
4

111

650

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–

17

7

–
–

–
–

24

24

1,823
1,114
262

68
81
7

–
114

3,469

(191)

(478)

(1)

(229)

(20)
(54)

(29)
(14)

(1,016)

2,453

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

29  Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) (continued)
(a)  Movements of net deferred tax assets are as follows: (continued)

At 
31 December 
2017
RMB million

Impact 
on initial 
application 
of IFRS 9/15
RMB million

(Charged)/ 
credited to 
consolidated 
income 
statement
RMB million

Charged 
to other 
comprehensive 
income
RMB million

At 
31 December 
2018
RMB million

1,020
691
88
–
248
10

16
82

2,155

(216)

(633)
(11)

(141)

–

–

(26)
(49)

(1,076)

1,079

–
–
(88)
87
–
–

–
–

(1)

–

–
–

141

(156)

(21)

–
–

(36)

(37)

(91)
6
–
(6)
(38)
12

(5)
3

(119)

5

15
–

–

–

2

1
31

54

(65)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
(7)

–

(80)

–

–
–

(87)

(87)

929
697
–
81
210
22

11
85

2,035

(211)

(618)
(18)

–

(236)

(19)

(25)
(18)

(1,145)

890

For the year ended
31 December 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses
Provision for major overhauls
Deferred revenue
Contract liabilities/other non-current liabilities
Provision for impairment losses
Provision for tax losses
Change in fair value of derivative financial 

liabilities

Others

Deferred tax liabilities:
Accrued expenses
Depreciation allowances under tax in excess of 
the related depreciation under accounting

Change in fair value of derivative financial assets
Change in fair value of available-for-sale equity 

securities

Change in fair value of other equity instrument 

investments

Change in fair value of other non-current 

financial assets

Fair value re-measurement of identifiable assets 

in business combination

Others

Net deferred tax assets

202

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
29  Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) (continued)
(b)  Reconciliation to the consolidated statement of financial position:

Net deferred tax asset recognised in the statement of financial position
Net deferred tax liability recognised in the statement of financial position

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

2,692
(239)

2,453

1,566
(676)

890

(c )  Deferred tax assets not recognised

Tax losses in the PRC are available for carrying forward to set off future assessable income for a maximum period of 
five years. The Group’s unused tax losses of RMB667 million (2018: RMB492 million) have not been recognised as 
deferred tax assets, as it was determined by management that it is not probable that future taxable profits against which 
the losses can be utilised will be available before they expire. The expiry dates of unrecognised unused tax losses are 
analysed as follows:

Expiring in:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

–
–
92
82
116
377

667

193
–
95
82
122
–

492

As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s other deductible temporary differences amounting to RMB951 million 
(31 December 2018: RMB822 million) have not been recognised as deferred tax assets as it was determined by 
management that it is not probable that future taxable profits will be available for these deductible temporary differences 
to reverse in the foreseeable future.

203

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

30  Other assets

At 1 January 2018
Additions
Acquisitions through business combinations
Transferred from construction in progress
Disposals
Amortisation for the year

At 31 December 2018

Impact on initial application of IFRS 16  

(Note 2(b))

At 1 January 2019
Additions
Acquisitions through business combinations
Transferred from construction in progress
Amortisation for the year

At 31 December 2019

Representing:

Prepayment for 
exclusive use 
right of an 
airport terminal
RMB million

Software
RMB million

Leasehold 
improvements
RMB million

Others
RMB million

Total
RMB million

220
–
–
–
–
(10)

210

(210)

–
–
–
–
–

–

316
105
–
69
–
(118)

372

–

372
75
–
183
(148)

482

181
–
36
86
–
(61)

242

–

242
–
9
113
(113)

251

677
407
–
–
(6)
(126)

952

–

952
338
23
–
(67)

1,246

1,394
512
36
155
(6)
(315)

1,776

(210)

1,566
413
32
296
(328)

1,979

Prepayments to related parties for acquisition  

of long-term assets

Amount paid to third parties and others

Note

43(b)&52(c)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

513
1,466

1,979

227
1,549

1,776

204

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31  Inventories

Consumable spare parts and maintenance materials
Other supplies

Less: provision

Provision for inventories is shown as below:

At 1 January
Provision for inventories
Provision written off upon disposal

At 31 December

32  Trade receivables

Trade receivables
Less: loss allowance

(a)  Ageing analysis

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,683
264

1,947

(54)

1,893

1,688
232

1,920

(221)

1,699

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

221
20
(187)

54

226
12
(17)

221

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3,188
(36)

3,152

2,937
(36)

2,901

Credit terms granted by the Group to sales agents and other customers generally range from one to three months. 
Ageing analysis of trade receivables based on transaction date is set out below:

Within 1 month
More than 1 month but less than 3 months
More than 3 months but less than 12 months
More than 1 year

Less: loss allowance

All of the trade receivables are expected to be recovered within one year.

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

2,308
555
297
28

3,188
(36)

3,152

2,325
492
90
30

2,937
(36)

2,901

205

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

32  Trade receivables (continued)
(b)  Trade receivables by currencies

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

RMB
USD
EURO
AUD
TWD
GBP
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

2,686
151
65
33
22
18
213

3,188

2,430
179
104
6
27
13
178

2,937

As at 31 December 2019, the fair value of trade receivables approximates its carrying amount.

33  Other receivables

VAT recoverable
Government grants receivables
Rebate receivables on aircraft acquisitions
Other deposits
Others

Less: loss allowance

Notes:

Note

(i)

(ii)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

5,214
1,275
616
203
557

7,865
(5)

7,860

5,342
982
686
426
584

8,020
(5)

8,015

(i) 

(ii) 

Government grants receivables are recognised as there is reasonable assurance that they will be received and the Group has 
complied with the conditions attaching to them.

The amounts include term deposits of RMB43 million (31 December 2018: RMB264 million), which have a maturity over 3 
months at acquisition. The weighted average annualised interest rate of term deposits as at 31 December 2019 is 2.54% (31 
December 2018: 2.26%).

As at 31 December 2019, the fair value of other receivables approximates to their carrying amount.

206

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34  Cash and cash equivalents
(a)  Cash and cash equivalents comprise:

Deposits in banks and other financial institutions
Cash at bank and other financial institutions and on hand

Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial 

position

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1
1,848

1,849

19
6,909

6,928

As at 31 December 2019, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates its carrying amount.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the following currencies:

RMB
USD
EURO
AUD
JPY
HKD
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,231
395
34
59
17
13
100

1,849

6,281
267
53
138
22
22
145

6,928

207

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

34  Cash and cash equivalents (continued)
(b)  Reconciliation of profit before income tax to cash generated from operating 

activities

Note

2019
RMB million

12
12
19
24
25

14
28

15

Profit before income tax
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation charges
Other amortisation
Impairment losses on property, plant, equipment
Share of associates’ results
Share of joint ventures’ results
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and 

construction in progress

Changes in fair value of financial instruments
Remeasurement of the originally held equity interests in  

a joint venture
Interest income
Interest expense
Dividends income from other non-current financial assets
Exchange losses, net
Changes in working capital:
Increase in inventories
(Decrease)/increase in contract liabilities and other  

non-current liabilities

Increase in sales in advance of carriage
Increase/(decrease) in deferred benefits and gains
Decrease/(increase) in operating receivables
Increase in operating payables

Cash generated from operating activities

Note:

4,055

24,292
328
18
178
(365)

(140)
(265)

(13)
(74)
5,845
(23)
1,268

(179)

(337)
1,709
73
1,178
2,180

39,728

2018
RMB million
(Note)

4,364

13,969
339
–
(263)
(200)

(602)
(12)

–
(125)
3,202
(20)
2,820

(77)

450
1,441
(147)
(5,322)
1,357

21,174

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and adjusted the opening balances at 1 January 
2019 to recognise right-of-use assets and lease liabilities relating to leases which were previously classified as operating leases under 
IAS 17. Previously, cash payments under operating leases made by the Group as a lessee of RMB9,920 million were included in 
operating cash outflows in the consolidated cash flow statement. Under IFRS 16, except for short-term lease payments and payments 
for leases of low value assets not included in the measurement of lease liabilities, all other rentals paid on leases are now split into 
capital element and interest element and classified as financing cash outflows and operating cash outflows, respectively. Under the 
modified retrospective approach, the comparative information is not restated. Further details on the impact of the transition to IFRS 16 
are set out in Note 2(b).

208

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34  Cash and cash equivalents (continued)
(c )  Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

Bank loans 
and other 
borrowings
RMB million
(Note 36)

Obligations 
under finance 
leases
RMB million
(Note 38)

Lease 
liabilities
RMB million
(Note 37)

54,417

72,221

–

At 31 December 2018 (Note)
Impact on initial application of 

IFRS 16

At 1 January 2019
Changes from financing cash 

flows:

Proceeds from bank borrowings
Proceeds from ultra-short-term 

financing bills

Proceeds from corporate bonds
Repayment of bank borrowings
Repayment of ultra-short-term 

financing bills

Repayment of corporate bonds
Capital element of lease rentals paid

Total changes from financing cash 

flows

Exchange adjustments

Changes in fair value

Other changes:
Increase in lease liabilities from 

entering into new leases during the 
year (Note 54)

Amortisation amount of bond

Total other changes

At 31 December 2019

–

54,417

33,985

43,489
7,497
(50,374)

(25,000)
(12,951)
–

(3,354)

108

–

–
9

9

51,180

(72,221)

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

Interest rate 
swaps held 
to hedge 
borrowings 
(assets)
RMB million
(Note 27)

Cross 
currency 
swaps 
(liabilities)
RMB million
(Note 27)

Cross 
currency 
swaps (assets)
RMB million
(Note 27)

Total
RMB million

(75)

–

(75)

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

44

–

44

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

126,607

48,156

174,763

33,985

43,489
7,497
(50,374)

(25,000)
(12,951)
(17,784)

(21,138)

1,238

120,377

120,377

–

–
–
–

–
–
(17,784)

(17,784)

1,130

–

72

(44)

(187)

(159)

30,351
–

30,351

134,074

–
–

–

(3)

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

30,351
9

30,360

(187)

185,064

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method and adjusted the opening balances at 1 January 

2019 to recognise lease liabilities relating to leases which were previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17. See Note 
2(b) and Note 34(b).

209

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

34  Cash and cash equivalents (continued)
(c )  Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities (continued)

Bank loans 
and other 
borrowings
RMB million
(Note 36)

Obligations 
under 
finance 
leases
RMB million
(Note 38)

Interest rate 
swaps held 
to hedge 
borrowings 
(assets)
RMB million
(Note 27)

Cross 
currency 
swaps
(liabilities)
RMB million
(Note 27)

Total
RMB million

At 1 January 2018

48,287

67,924

(46)

64

116,229

Changes from financing cash flows:

Proceeds from bank borrowings
Proceeds from issuance of ultra-short-term 

financing bills

Proceeds from corporate bonds
Repayment of bank borrowings
Repayment of ultra-short-term financing bills
Repayment of corporate bonds
Repayment of principal under finance lease 

obligations

Total changes from financing cash flows

Exchange adjustments

Changes in fair value

Other changes:
Additions of obligations under finance leases 

(Note 54)

Total other changes

At 31 December 2018

34,385

5,500
2,000
(34,260)
(1,500)
(345)

–

5,780

350

–

–

–

54,417

–

–
–
–
–
–

(10,433)

(10,433)

1,440

–

13,290

13,290

72,221

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

(29)

–

–

(75)

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

34,385

5,500
2,000
(34,260)
(1,500)
(345)

(10,433)

(4,653)

1,790

(20)

(49)

–

–

44

13,290

13,290

126,607

210

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34  Cash and cash equivalents (continued)
(d)  Total cash outflow for leases

Amounts included in the cash flow statement for leases comprise the following:

Within operating cash flows
Within investing cash flows
Within financing cash flows

2019
RMB million

(7,457)
(224)
(17,784)

(25,465)

2018
RMB million
(Note)

(12,316)
(113)
(10,433)

(22,862)

Note:  As explained in the Note to Note 34(b), the adoption of IFRS 16 introduces a change in classification of cash flows of certain 

rentals paid on leases. The comparative amounts have not been restated.

These amounts relate to the following:

Lease rentals paid
Addition of land use rights

35  Assets held for sale

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

(25,241)
(224)

(25,465)

(22,749)
(113)

(22,862)

Assets held for sale mainly represent property, plant and equipment which are planned to be sold in the next 12 months 
and are measured at the lower of their carrying amounts and fair values less costs to sell.

Owned aircraft and other flight equipment

2019
RMB million

–

2018
RMB million

224

As at 31 December 2018, the carrying amount of the assets held for sale is RMB224 million, while their fair value less 
cost to sell is RMB238 million. The fair value on which the recoverable amount is based is categorised as a level 3 
measurement.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

36  Borrowings
(a)  Borrowings are analysed as follows:

Non-current
Long-term borrowings
– secured (Note (i))
– unsecured

Corporate bond

– unsecured (Note (ii))

Medium-term notes

– unsecured (Note (iii))

Current
Current portion of long-term borrowings

– secured (Note (i))
– unsecured

Short-term borrowings

– unsecured

Ultra-short-term financing bills

– unsecured

Current portion of corporate bond and medium-term notes

– unsecured (Notes (ii)&(iii))

Total borrowings

The borrowings are repayable:

Within one year
In the second year
In the third to fifth year
After the fifth year

Total borrowings

212

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

10
2,381

2,391

8,646

2,600

13,637

90
51

12,250

22,497

34,888

2,655

37,543

51,180

37,543
3,773
8,389
1,475

51,180

511
8,911

9,422

4,655

1,599

15,676

94
808

20,739

4,000

25,641

13,100

38,741

54,417

38,741
7,757
6,004
1,915

54,417

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36  Borrowings (continued):
(a)  Borrowings are analysed as follows (continued):

Notes:

(i) 

(ii) 

As at 31 December 2019, bank borrowings of the Group of approximately RMB10 million (31 December 2018: RMB390 million) 
were secured by certain owned aircraft with a carrying amount of RMB339 million (31 December 2018: RMB373 million). Bank 
borrowings of approximately RMB90 million (31 December 2018: RMB215 million) were secured by certain land use rights under 
right-of-use assets of RMB87 million (31 December 2018: lease prepayments of RMB88 million) and investment property of 
RMB15 million (31 December 2018: RMB18 million).

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB3,000 million on 20 November 2015 at a bond rate 
of 3.63%. The corporate bonds mature in five years. The Company will be entitled at its option to adjust its bond rate and the 
investors will be entitled to request the Company to redeem all or a portion of the bonds after three years of the issue date. 
The bonds with nominal value of RMB345 million were redeemed by the Company in 2018 at the request of investors, and the 
remaining bonds of RMB2,655 million will mature within one year.

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB5,000 million on 3 March 2016 at a bond rate of 
2.97%. The corporate bonds mature in three years. The bonds with nominal value of RMB5,000 million were redeemed by the 
Company in 2019.

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB5,000 million on 25 May 2016 at a bond rate of 3.12%. 
The corporate bonds mature in five years. The Company will be entitled at its option to adjust its bond rate and the investors 
will be entitled to request the Company to redeem all or a portion of the bonds after three years of the issue date. The bonds 
with nominal value of RMB4,851 million were redeemed by the Company in 2019 at the request of investors, and the remaining 
bonds of RMB149 million will mature in five years from the issue date.

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB2,000 million on 26 November 2018 at a bond rate of 
3.92%. The corporate bonds mature in three years.

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB3,000 million on 21 February 2019 at a bond rate of 
3.45%. The corporate bonds mature in three years.

The Group issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB2,000 million on 16 May 2019 at a bond rate of 3.72%. 
The corporate bonds mature in three years.

Xiamen Airlines issued corporate bonds with aggregate nominal value of RMB1,500 million on 20 November 2019 at a bond rate 
of 3.58%. The corporate bonds mature in three years.

(iii) 

Xiamen Airlines issued medium-term notes with aggregate nominal value of RMB1,300 million on 15 August 2016 at an interest 
rate of 2.97%. The medium-term notes mature in three years and were redeemed in 2019.

Xiamen Airlines issued medium-term notes with aggregate nominal value of RMB1,600 million on 20 October 2016 at an interest 
rate of 3.11%. The medium-term notes mature in five years.

Xiamen Airlines issued medium-term notes with aggregate nominal value of RMB1,800 million on 21 November 2016 at an 
interest rate of 3.38%. The medium-term notes mature in three years and were redeemed in 2019.

The Group issued medium-term notes with aggregate nominal value of RMB1,000 million on 18 October 2019 at an interest rate 
of 3.20%. The medium-term notes mature in three years.

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36  Borrowings (continued):
(b)  As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s weighted average interest rates on short-term borrowings were 3.70% per 

annum (31 December 2018: 3.92% per annum).

(c )  Details of borrowings with original maturity over one year are as follows:

Renminbi denominated loans

Fixed interest rate at 1.20% per annum as at 31 December 2019,  

with maturities through 2027

Corporate Bond – Fixed bond rate at 2.97%~3.92%
Medium-term notes – Fixed interest rate at 2.97%~3.38%
Floating interest rates at 90%~100% of benchmark interest rate  
(stipulated by PBOC) as at 31 December 2019, with maturities  
through 2033

Fixed interest rate at 3.92% per annum as at 31 December 2019,  

with maturities through 2022

Fixed interest rate at 4.41% per annum as at 31 December 2019,  

with maturities through 2034

USD denominated loans
Fixed interest rate at 3.32% per annum as at 31 December 2018,  

with maturities through 2020

Less: loans due within one year classified as current liabilities

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

19
11,301
2,600

19
14,655
4,699

1,633

10,213

800

80

–

16,433
(2,796)

13,637

–

–

92

29,678
(14,002)

15,676

(d)  The carrying amounts of the borrowings are denominated in the following 

currencies:

Renminbi
USD

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

46,823
4,357

51,180

47,607
6,810

54,417

The Group has certain borrowings as well as significant lease liabilities (Note 37) which are denominated in USD as 
at 31 December 2019. The net exchange loss of RMB1,477 million for the year ended 31 December 2019 (2018: net 
exchange loss of RMB1,853 million) was mainly attributable to the translation of balances of borrowings and lease 
liabilities which are denominated in USD.

214

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
36  Borrowings (continued):
(e)  The balance of long-term and short-term borrowings as at 31 December 2019 included entrusted loans from CSAH via 
SA Finance to the Group amounted to RMB800 million and RMB4,720 million (31 December 2018: Nil and RMB500 
million), respectively (Note 52(d)(ii)).

(f)  Certain of the Group’s banking facilities are subject to the fulfilment of covenants relating to certain of the Group’s 
consolidated statement of financial position ratios, as are commonly found in lending arrangements with financial 
institutions. If the Group were to breach the covenants, the drawn down facilities would become payable on demand. 
The Group regularly monitors its compliance with these covenants. Further details of the Group’s management of 
liquidity risk are set out in Note 4(a). As at 31 December 2019 and 2018, none of the covenants relating to drawn down 
facilities had been breached.

37  Lease liabilities

The following table shows the remaining contractual maturities of the Group’s lease liabilities at the end of the current 
reporting period and at the date of transition to IFRS 16:

31 December 2019

Present 
value of the 
minimum 
lease 
payments
RMB million

Total 
minimum 
lease 
payments
RMB million

19,998

19,249
54,155
40,672

114,076

134,074

25,404

23,860
63,003
44,814

131,677

157,081

(23,007)

134,074

1 January 2019 
(Note)

Present 
value of the 
minimum 
lease 
payments
RMB million

16,921

16,018
50,709
36,729

103,456

120,377

Total 
minimum 
lease 
payments
RMB million

21,507

20,033
59,111
40,307

119,451

140,958

(20,581)

120,377

Within 1 year

After 1 year but within 2 years
After 2 years but within 5 years
After 5 years

Less: total future interest expenses

Present value of lease liabilities

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach and adjusted the opening balances at 1 
January 2019 to recognise lease liabilities relating to leases which were previously classified as operating leases under IAS 
17. These liabilities have been aggregated with the brought forward balances relating to leases previously classified as finance 
leases. Comparative information as at 31 December 2018 has not been restated as set out in Note 38 and relates solely to 
leases previously classified as finance leases. Further details on the impact of the transition to IFRS 16 are set out in Note 2(b).

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

37  Lease liabilities (continued)

Denominated obligations by currencies

For the year ended 
31 December 2019

Effective 
interest rate

Fixed interest rates
Floating interest rates

1.75%~5.03%
0%~5.22%

For the year ended 
31 December 2018

Effective 
interest rate

Fixed interest rates
Floating interest rates

1.75%~5.03%
0%~5.80%

Japanese 
Yen

Other 
currencies

USD

Total
RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million

Renminbi

Euro

50,568
15,335

65,903

10
1,272

1,282

7,023
56,100

63,123

15
3,535

3,550

22
194

216

57,638
76,436

134,074

Denominated obligations by currencies

USD
RMB million

8,630
18,237

26,867

Japanese 
Yen
RMB million

–
1,457

1,457

Renminbi
RMB million

Euro
RMB million

1,097
38,629

39,726

–
3,927

3,927

Other 
currencies
RMB million

–
244

244

Total
RMB million

9,727
62,494

72,221

38  Obligations under finance leases

As at 31 December 2018, obligation under finance leases are as follows:

Within 1 year
After 1 year but within 2 years
After 2 years but within 5 years
After 5 years

Less: ba lance due within one year classified  

as current liabilities

Present value 
of the minimum 
lease payments
RMB million

2018

Total minimum 
lease payments
RMB million

12,062
11,738
36,765
22,200

82,765

9,555
9,572
32,285
20,809

72,221

(9,555)

62,666

Interest
RMB million

2,507
2,166
4,480
1,391

10,544

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this 
approach, obligations under finance leases of RMB72,221 million (including the current portion) at 31 December 2018 
was reclassified to lease liabilities (Note 37) at 1 January 2019.

216

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
39  Trade payables

Ageing analysis of trade payables based on transaction date is set out below:

Within 1 month
More than 1 month but less than 3 months
More than 3 months but less than 6 months
More than 6 months but less than 1 year
More than 1 year

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

563
506
450
568
230

406
829
476
423
175

2,317

2,309

As at 31 December 2019, the fair value of trade payables approximates to their carrying amount.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s trade payables are denominated in the following currencies:

Renminbi
USD
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,845
423
49

2,317

1,910
376
23

2,309

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

40  Contract liabilities

Unredeemed credits under the frequent flyer award programmes  

(Notes (i) & (ii))

Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,568
42

1,610

1,693
–

1,693

Notes:

(i) 

As at 31 December 2019, the aggregated amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligation, 
which is the unredeemed credits under the frequent flyer award programmes, amounted to RMB3,331 million (31 December 
2018: RMB3,711 million). This amount represents revenue expected to be recognised in the future when the customers take 
possession of the goods or services redeemed.

(ii) 

The amounts represent the unredeemed credits under the frequent flyer award programmes. Movement in the accounts is set 
out below:

Balance at 1 January

– Current
– Non-current

Addition as a result of increase of the unredeemed credits under  

the frequent flyer award programmes

Reduction as a result of revenue recognised during the year
Representing:

– Recognised as revenue from opening balance of contract liabilities
– Recognised as revenue from current year addition of contract liabilities

Balance at 31 December

Representing:
– Current
– Non-current (Note 42)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

3,711
1,693
2,018

1,979
(2,359)

(1,948)
(411)

3,331

1,568
1,763

3,261
1,461
1,800

2,161
(1,711)

(1,461)
(250)

3,711

1,693
2,018

41  Sales in advance of carriage

As at 31 December 2019, the amount of sales in advance of carriage represents revenue expected to be recognised in 
the future when the customers take possession of and accept the passenger transportation services to be provided by 
the Group. During the year, RMB8,398 million (2018: RMB7,279 million) which was included in the opening balance of 
the sales in advance of carriage was recognised as revenue.

218

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42  Other non-current liabilities

Unredeemed credits under the frequent flyer  

award programmes

Others

43  Balances with related companies
(a)  Amounts due from related companies

Current
CSAH and its affiliates
Associates
Joint ventures

Note

40

Note

52(c)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,763
19

1,782

2,018
18

2,036

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

18
35
20

73

51
22
17

90

The amounts due from related companies are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed terms of repayment. They are 
expected to be recovered within one year.

(b)  Prepayments to related companies for acquisition of long-term assets

Non-current
CSAH and its affiliates
An associate

(c )  Amounts due to related companies

Current
CSAH and its affiliates
Associates
Joint ventures
Other related companies

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

30&52(c)

160
353

513

80
147

227

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

116
1
53
–

170

49
12
63
3

127

52(c)

The amounts due to related companies are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed terms of repayment. They are 
expected to be settled within one year.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

44  Accrued expenses

Repairs and maintenance
Jet fuel costs
Salaries and welfare
Landing and navigation fees
Computer reservation services
Provision for major overhauls (Note 46)
Interest expenses
Air catering expenses
Provision for early retirement benefits (Note 47)
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

4,312
1,846
3,974
2,612
461
883
345
147
1
1,164

4,468
1,900
3,212
2,492
585
821
771
166
2
1,265

15,745

15,682

Note:  The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated. See Note 2(b).

45  Other liabilities

Civil Aviation Development Fund and airport tax payable
Payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment
Sales agent deposits
Other taxes payable
Deposit received for chartered flights
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

1,937
2,070
592
426
214
2,002

7,241

2,012
1,608
597
443
186
1,727

6,573

As at 31 December 2019, the fair value of the balances approximate their carrying amount.

220

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46  Provision for major overhauls

Details of provision for major overhauls in respect of aircraft held under leases are as follows:

At 1 January (Note)
Additional provision
Utilisation

At 31 December
Less: current portion (Note 44)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

4,349
768
(692)

4,425
(883)

3,542

3,370
943
(661)

3,652
(821)

2,831

Note:  On the date of transition to IFRS 16, provision for major overhauls of RMB697 million (including current portion) were recognised 

at 1 January 2019. See Note 2(b).

47  Provision for early retirement benefits

Details of provision for early retirement benefits in respect of obligations to early retired employees are as follows:

At 1 January
Provision for the year (Note 13)
Payments made during the year

At 31 December
Less: current portion (Note 44)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

4
–
(3)

1
(1)

–

7
1
(4)

4
(2)

2

The Group has implemented an early retirement plan for certain employees. The benefits of the early retirement plan 
are calculated based on factors including the remaining number of years of service from the date of early retirement to 
the normal retirement date and the salary amount on the date of early retirement of the employees. The present value 
of the future cash flows expected to be required to settle the obligations is recognised as provision for early retirement 
benefits.

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

48  Deferred benefits and gains

Leases rebates
Maintenance rebates
Gains relating to sale and leaseback
Government grants
Others

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million
(Note)

–
600
–
222
11

833

47
746
15
85
13

906

Note:  On the date of transition to IFRS 16, leases rebates of RMB47 million, maintenance rebates of RMB84 million and gains relating 

to sales and leaseback of RMB15 million, previously included in deferred benefits and gains, were adjusted to costs of right-of-
use assets recognised at 1 January 2019. See Note 2(b).

49  Share capital

Registered, issued and paid up capital:
Trade-restricted:
489,202,658 A shares of RMB1.00 each owned by CSAH  
(2018: 489,202,658 shares of RMB1.00 each) (Note (ii))

Nil A share (2018: 1,088,870,431 shares of RMB1.00 each) (Note (ii))
600,925,925 H shares of RMB1.00 each  

(2018: 600,925,925 shares of RMB1.00 each) (Note (ii))

Tradable:
4,039,228,665 A shares of RMB1.00 each owned by CSAH  

(2018: 4,039,228,665 shares of RMB1.00 each)

4,072,291,766 A shares of RMB1.00 each  

(2018: 2,983,421,335 shares of RMB1.00 each)

3,065,523,272 H shares of RMB1.00 each  

(2018: 3,065,523,272 shares of RMB1.00 each)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

489
–

601

1,090

4,039

4,073

3,065

11,177

12,267

489
1,089

601

2,179

4,039

2,984

3,065

10,088

12,267

Notes:

(i) 

All the A and H shares rank pari passu in all material respects.

(ii) 

In September 2018, the Company issued 1,578,073,089 A shares (“new A shares”) to CSAH and other six entities, and issued 
600,925,925 H shares (“new H shares”) to a fellow subsidiary of CSAH. The new A shares issued to CSAH are restricted for 
trading within 36 months upon completion of the issuance, whereas other new A shares issued to other parties are restricted for 
trading within 12 months upon completion of the issuances. In 2019, the trading restriction of 1,088,870,431 A shares issued to 
other parties was released. Further, in accordance with the H shares subscription agreement entered into between the Company 
and the fellow subsidiary of CSAH, the fellow subsidiary of CSAH committed not to trade or transfer any of the new H shares 
within 36 months upon completion of the issuance.

222

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50  Reserves
(a)  Dividends

Dividends payable to equity shareholders of the Company attributable to the year:

Nil dividend proposed after the end of the reporting year  
(2018: RMB0.05 per share) (inclusive of applicable tax)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

–

613

The directors did not propose any final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2019 (2018: RMB0.05 per 
share (inclusive of applicable tax), amounting to a total dividend of RMB613 million).

(b)  Share premium

The share premium represents the difference between the par value of the shares of the Company and proceeds 
received from the issuance of the shares of the Company.

(c )  Fair value reserve (recycling)

The fair value reserve (recycling) represents the hedge reserve which comprises the effective portion of the cumulative 
net change in the fair value of hedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition of the 
hedged cash flow in accordance with the accounting policy adopted for cash flow hedges in Note 2(g).

(d)  Fair value reserve (non-recycling)

The fair value reserve (non-recycling) comprises the cumulative net change in the fair value of equity investments 
designated at FVOCI under IFRS 9 that are held at the end of the reporting period (see Note 2(f)).

(e)  Other reserves

Other reserves mainly comprise statutory surplus reserve. According to the PRC Company Law and the Articles of 
Association of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, the Company and the relevant subsidiaries are required to 
transfer 10% of their annual net profits after taxation, as determined under the PRC accounting rules and regulations, to 
a statutory surplus reserve until the reserve balance reaches 50% of the registered capital. The transfer to this reserve 
must be made before distribution of dividend to shareholders and when there are retained profits at the end of the 
financial year.

Statutory surplus reserve can be used to offset prior years’ losses, if any, and may be converted into share capital by 
the issue of new shares to shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholding or by increasing the par value of the 
shares currently held by them, provided that the balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Company made appropriation of statutory surplus reserve of RMB181 
million (2018: RMB221 million).

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group recorded an increase in other reserves of RMB44 million arising from 
adjustments in carrying amount of interest in associates relating to changes in an associate’s reserves (2018: RMB4 
million), and recorded a decrease in other reserves of RMB10 million arising from acquisition of non-controlling interests 
in a subsidiary (2018: Nil).

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(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

51  Commitments
(a)  Capital commitments

Capital commitments outstanding as at 31 December 2019 not provided for in the financial statements were as follows:

Commitments in respect of aircraft and flight equipment

– authorised and contracted for

Investment commitments

– authorised and contracted for

– share of capital commitments of a joint venture
– capital contributions for acquisition of non-controlling interests in a 

subsidiary

– capital contributions for acquisition of interests in a joint venture

– authorised but not contracted for

– share of capital commitments of a joint venture

Commitments for other property, plant and equipment

– authorised and contracted for
– authorised but not contracted for

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

71,224

82,199

322

232
–

554

31

585

4,571
10,451

15,022

86,831

26

–
14

40

21

61

7,224
14,062

21,286

103,546

As at 31 December 2019, the approximate total future payments, including estimated amounts for price escalation 
through anticipated delivery dates for aircraft and flight equipment are as follows:

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 and afterwards

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

–
41,442
21,077
5,464
3,241

71,224

38,141
32,395
8,628
3,035
–

82,199

(b)  Operating lease commitments

As at 31 December 2018, the Group recorded a total commitment to operating leases of RMB75,729 million for 
contracted lease. Among which, the Group had operating lease commitments to CSAH and its affiliates in respect of 
lease payments for land and buildings of RMB665 million and aircraft of RMB78 million.

The Group is the lessee in respect of a number of properties, aircraft and flight equipment held under leases which 
were previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17. The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified 
retrospective approach. Under this approach, the Group adjusted the opening balances at 1 January 2019 to recognise 
lease liabilities relating to these leases (see Note 2(b)). From 1 January 2019 onwards, future lease payments are 
recognised as lease liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position in accordance with the policies set out in 
Note 2(k), and the details regarding the Group’s future lease payments are disclosed in Note 37.

224

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52  Material related party transactions
(a)  Key management personnel remuneration

Remuneration for key management personnel of the Group, including amounts paid to the Company’s directors 
(excluding independent non-executive directors) as disclosed in Note 61, is as follows:

Salaries, wages and welfare
Retirement scheme contributions

Directors and supervisors (Note 61)
Senior management

Total remuneration is included in “staff costs” (Note 13).

2019
RMB’000

13,803
1,785

15,588

2019
RMB’000

1,298
14,290

15,588

2018
RMB’000

15,218
1,797

17,015

2018
RMB’000

878
16,137

17,015

225

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(b)  Transactions with CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and 

other related companies of the Group
The Group provided various operational services to CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and other related 
companies of the Group during the normal course of its business. The Group also received operational services 
provided by these entities.

Details of the significant transactions carried out by the Group are as follows:

Income received from CSAH and its affiliates
Cargo handling income and rental income*
Aviation material sales income*
Entrusted management income*
Commission income*
Others*

Purchase of goods and services form CSAH and its 

affiliates

Cargo handling charges*
Commission expenses*
Transportation expense*
Maintenance material purchase expense and lease charges  

for maintenance material*
Software service expenses*
Air catering supplies expenses*
Repairing charges*
Lease charges for land and buildings*
Property management fee*
Acquisition of property*
Others*

Purchase of goods and services form joint ventures  

and associates
Repairing charges
Repairing charges and maintenance material purchase  

expenses

Ground service expenses
Air catering supplies
Advertising expenses*
Property management fee
Commission expenses
Others

Note

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

(v)
(v)
(v)

(ii)
(ii)
(i)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)

(vi)

(x)
(xi)
(xii)
(xiii)
(xiv)
(xv)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

7
36
27
14
1

–
44
–

165
–
142
–
353
151
–
7

2,442

2,956
112
93
196
26
14
7

4
6
27
–
9

111
14
10

98
5
135
1,184
294
106
160
5

786

2,692
123
98
105
28
–
7

226

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(b)  Transactions with CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and 

other related companies of the Group (continued)

Income received from joint ventures and associates
Maintenance material sales and handling income
Entrustment income for advertising media business*
Repairing income
Air catering supplies income
Transfer of pilots income
Commission income*
Ground service income
Labor service income and rental income
Others

Income received from other related company
Air tickets income

Purchase of goods and services form other  

related companies

Advertising expenses
Computer reservation services
Aviation supplies expenses
Canteen service
Others

Acquisition from CSAH and its affiliates
Equity transaction*

Aircraft related transactions with CSAH and  

its affiliates

Payment of lease charges on aircraft*
Consideration of disposal of aircraft*

Note

(xvi)
(xiii)
(xv)
(xv)
(xv)
(xvii)
(xviii)
(xix)

(xx)

(xx)
(xxii)
(xxi)
(xxi)

(vi)

(xxiii)
(xxiii)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

7
1
4
35
35
–
16
8
15

–

–
685
53
24
9

–

2,696
–

15
1
11
16
–
20
13
22
13

9

10
592
48
19
3

1,602

1,542
481

(i) 

Shenzhen Air Catering Co., Ltd. (“SACC”) is an associate of CSAH.

Air catering supplies expenses are payable by the Group in respect of certain in-flight meals and related services 
with SACC.

In addition, the Group leased certain equipment to SACC under operating lease agreements.

(ii)  China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (“CASC”) is an associate of CSAH.

The Group purchases software service, as well as purchases and leases maintenance material from CASC, and 
CASC also purchases maintenance material from the Group.

227

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(b)  Transactions with CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and 

other related companies of the Group (continued)
(iii) 

The Group provides entrusted management service to CSAH.

(iv)  Southern Airlines Insurance Brokerage Co., Ltd. (“SAIB”), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH. The Group 

provides certain website resources to SAIB for the sales of air insurance.

(v)  China Southern Airlines Group Ground Services Co., Ltd. (“GSC”), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH. GSC 

entered into liquidation at the year end of 2018 and has no transaction with the Group this year.

Commission is earned by Shenzhen Baiyun Air Service Co.,Ltd., the subsidiary of GSC, in connection with the air 
tickets sold by them on behalf of the Group. Commission is calculated based on the rates stipulated by the Civil 
Aviation Administration of China and International Air Transportation Association.

(vi)  MTU, a former joint venture of CSAH, provides comprehensive maintenance services to the Group. MTU became 

a joint venture of the Group on 28 August 2018.

(vii)  The Group leases certain land and buildings in the PRC from CSAH and its affiliates. The amount represents rental 

payments for land and buildings paid or payable to CSAH and its affiliates.

(viii)  China Southern Airlines Group Property Management Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH. COHL& 

CSAH Construction Development Co.,Ltd., a joint venture of CSAH. Both of them provide property management 
services to the Group.

(ix)  The Group acquires properties from COHL&CSAH Construction Development Co.,Ltd.

(x)  GAMECO and Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance, joint venture of the Group, provide comprehensive maintenance 

services to the Group.

The Company acquired 21% equity interest in Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance on 23 April 2019, Shenyang Aircraft 
Maintenance became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (Note23(iii)).

The Group also purchases maintenance material from GAMECO.

(xi)  Beijing Aviation Ground Services Co.,Ltd. and Shenyang Konggang Logistic Co., Ltd., associates of the Group 

provide ground services to the Group.

(xii)  Beijing Airport Inflight Kitchen Co.,Ltd. is an associate of the Group and provides air catering related services to 

the Group.

(xiii)  SACM, an associate of the Group, provides advertising services to the Group. The Group provides certain media 

resources to SACM.

(xiv)  Xinjiang Civil Aviation Property Management Ltd., an associate of the Group, provides property management 

services to the Group.

228

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(b)  Transactions with CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and 

other related companies of the Group (continued)
(xv)  The Group provides repairing service and air catering supplies service to Sichuan Airlines.

Commission is earned by Sichuan Airlines in connection with the air tickets sold on behalf of the Group.

In addition, the Group transferred pilots to Sichuan Airlines.

(xvi)  The Group imports and sells maintenance materials to GAMECO and earns maintenance material sales and 

handling income.

(xvii)  The Group provides certain website resources to SA Finance for the sales of air insurance.

(xviii)  The Group provides ground services to Shenyang Konggang Logistic Co.,Ltd. and Sichuan Airlines, which are 

associates of the Group.

(xix)  The Group provides labor service to Shenyang Aircraft Maintenance, and the charge rates are determined by 

reference to prevailing market price. In addition, the Group leases certain property and equipment to Shenyang 
Aircraft Maintenance.

(xx)  Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Ltd. (“the Phoenix Group”) was a related party of the Group as the board 

chairman of the Phoenix Group was appointed as a non-executive director of the Group and resigned on 20 
December 2017. The transaction incurred in the year before 20 December 2018 was deemed to be the related 
party transaction. It provides advertising services to the Group.

In addition, the Group sells tickets to the Phoenix Group on market price.

(xxi)  The chairman of Pearl Aviation Services is the key management personnel of the Company. The Group purchases 

aviation supplies and canteen services from Pearl Aviation Services.

In December 2019, Pearl Aviation Services became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group (Note23(iv)).

(xxii)  China Travel Sky Holding Company is a related party of the Group as a key management personnel of the Group 

was appointed as the director of China Travel Sky Holding Company. It provides computer reservation services.

(xxiii)  China Southern Airlines International Finance Leasing Co., Ltd. (“CSA International”), originally a wholly-owned 

subsidiary of CSAH, and became a joint venture of CSAH in 2019, provides aircraft and engines lease services to 
the Group. Also, the Group disposed aircraft to CSA International.

* 

These related party transactions also constitute connected transactions or continuing connected transactions as defined 
in Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules. The disclosures required by Chapter 14A of the Listing Rules are provided in section 
“CONNECTED TRANSACTION” of the Report of Director.

229

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(c )  Balances with CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and other 

related companies of the Group
Details of amounts due from/to CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and other related company of the 
Group:

Receivables:
CSAH and its affiliates
Associates
Joint ventures

Prepayments of acquisition of long-term assets:
CSAH and its affiliates
An associate

Payables:
CSAH and its affiliates
Associates
Joint ventures
Other related companies

Accrued expenses:
CSAH and its affiliates
Associates
Joint ventures
Other related companies

Lease liabilities:
The CSAH and its affiliates

Obligations under finance leases:
CSAH and its affiliates

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

18
35
20

73

51
22
17

90

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

160
353

513

80
147

227

43(a)

Note

30&43(b)

Note

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

43(c)

116
1
53
–

170

49
12
63
3

127

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

55
169
2,092
274

2,590

23,734

62
139
2,320
633

3,154

–

–

13,360

Except the lease liabilities, the amounts due from/to CSAH and its affiliates, associates, joint ventures and other related 
companies of the Group are unsecured, interest-free and have no fixed terms of repayment.

230

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(d)  Loans from and deposits placed with related parties

(i)  Loans from related parties

At 31 December 2019, loans from SA Finance to the Group amounted to RMB76 million (31 December 2018: 
RMB758 million).

The unsecured loans are repayable as follows:

Within 1 year
After 1 year but within 2 years
After 2 years but within 5 years

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

23
–
53

76

630
10
118

758

Interest expense paid on such loans amounted to RMB9 million (2018: RMB18 million) and the interest rates range 
from 4.28% to 4.35% per annum during the year ended 31 December 2019 (2018: 3.92% to 4.51%).

(ii)  Entrusted loans from CSAH

In 2019, CSAH, SA Finance and the Group entered into an entrusted loan agreement, pursuant to which, CSAH, 
as the lender, entrusted SA Finance to lend RMB5,520 million (31 December 2018: RMB500 million) to the Group 
from 10 July 2019 to 8 July 2022. The interest rate is 90% of benchmark interest rate stipulated by PBOC per 
annum.

The unsecured entrusted loans are repayable as follows:

Within 1 year
After 1 year but within 2 years
After 2 years but within 5 years

Note

36(e)

36(e)

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

4,720
–
800

5,520

500
–
–

500

Interest expense paid on such loans amounted to RMB86 million (2018: RMB10 million) at interest rates 3.92% 
per annum during the year ended 31 December 2019 (2018: 3.92% per annum).

(iii)  Deposits placed with SA Finance

As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s deposits with SA Finance are presented in the table below. The applicable 
interest rates are determined in accordance with the rates published by the PBOC.

Deposits placed with SA Finance

2019
RMB million

711

2018
RMB million

5,583

Interest income received on such deposits amounted to RMB40 million during the year ended 31 December 2019 
(2018: RMB80 million).

231

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

52  Material related party transactions (continued)
(e)  Commitments to CSAH

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had operating lease commitments to CSAH and its affiliates in respect of lease 
payments for land and buildings of RMB665 million and aircraft of RMB78 million. The Group is the lessee in respect 
of a number of properties, aircraft and flight equipment held under leases which were previously classified as operating 
leases under IAS 17. The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this 
approach, the Group adjusted the opening balances at 1 January 2019 to recognise lease liabilities relating to these 
leases (see Note 2(b)). From 1 January 2019 onwards, operating lease commitments are recognised as lease liabilities 
in the statement of financial position in accordance with the policies set out in Note 2(k), and the details regarding the 
Group’s future lease payments are disclosed in Note 37.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group did not had capital commitments to CSAH (2018: RMB291 million in respect of 
capital payments for other flight equipment).

53  Employee benefits plan
(a)  Retirement benefits

Employees of the Group participate in several defined contribution retirement schemes organised separately by the 
PRC municipal and provincial governments in regions where the major operations of the Group are located. The Group 
is required to contribute to these schemes at rates ranging from 12% to 16% (2018: 13% to 20%) of salary costs 
including certain allowances. A member of the retirement schemes is entitled to pension benefits from the Local Labour 
and Social Security Bureau upon his/her retirement. The retirement benefit obligations of all retired staff of the Group 
are assumed by these schemes. The Group, at its sole discretion, had made certain welfare subsidy payments to these 
retirees.

In 2014, the Company and its major subsidiaries joined a new defined contribution retirement scheme (“Pension 
Scheme”) that was implemented by CSAH. The annual contribution to the Pension Scheme is based on a fixed specified 
percentage of prior year’s annual wage. There will be no further obligation beyond the annual contribution according to 
the Pension Scheme. The total contribution into the Pension Scheme in 2019 was approximately RMB985 million (2018: 
RMB598 million).

(b)  Housing benefits

The Group contributes on a monthly basis to housing funds organised by municipal and provincial governments based 
on certain percentages of the salaries of employees. The Group’s liability in respect of these funds is limited to the 
contributions payable in each year.

The Group also pays cash housing subsidies on a monthly basis to eligible employees. The monthly cash housing 
subsidies are charged to income statement.

232

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)54  Supplementary information to the consolidated cash flow 

statement
Non-cash transactions

(i) 

Introducing of aircraft

During the year ended 31 December 2019, aircraft introduced under leases amounted to RMB30,351 million 
(2018: aircraft acquired under finance leases RMB13,290 million).

(ii)  Acquisition of a joint venture through issuance of new shares

During the year ended 31 December 2018, CSAH subscribed the new A shares (Note 49) of the Company with 
a cash consideration and the equity interests held in MTU, representing 50% of the total equity interests of MTU. 
The related non-cash equity transaction of financing activities amounted to RMB1,741 million.

55  Contingent liabilities

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

The Group leased certain properties and buildings from CSAH which were located in Guangzhou, Wuhan, Haikou, 
etc. However, such properties and buildings lack adequate documentation evidencing CSAH’s rights thereto. 
Pursuant to the indemnification agreement dated 22 May 1997 between the Group and CSAH, CSAH has agreed 
to indemnify the Group against any loss or damage arising from any challenge of the Group’s right to use the 
certain properties and buildings.

The Group entered into certain agreements with CSAH in prior years to acquire certain land use right and 
buildings from CSAH. The change of business registration of such land use right and buildings are still in progress. 
CSAH issued letters of commitment to the Company, committing to indemnify the Group against any claims 
from third parties to the Group, or any loss or damage in the Group’s operation activities due to lack adequate 
documentation of the certain properties and buildings, without recourse to the Group.

The Company and its subsidiary, Xiamen Airlines, entered into agreements with certain pilot trainees and certain 
banks to provide guarantees on personal bank loans amounting to RMB696 million (31 December 2018: RMB696 
million) that can be drawn by the pilot trainees to finance their respective flight training expenses. As at 31 
December 2019, total personal bank loans of RMB275 million (31 December 2018: RMB318 million), under these 
guarantees, were drawn down from the banks. During the year, no payment has been made by the Group (2018: 
RMB1 million) due to the default of payments of certain pilot trainees.

56  Comparative figures

The Group has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019. Under the transition methods chosen, comparative 
information is not restated. Further details of the changes in accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2(b).

233

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

57  Immediate and ultimate controlling party

As at 31 December 2019, the Directors of the Company consider the immediate parent and ultimate controlling party of 
the Group to be CSAH, a state-owned enterprise established in the PRC.

58  Non-adjusting events after the financial year end

(a)  On 30 October 2019, the Company entered into the A Share Subscription Agreement with CSAH, pursuant to 
which the Company is to issue not more than 2,453,434,457 (inclusive) new A Shares to CSAH (“the A Share 
Issuance”). The total funds to be raised from the A Share Issuance will be not more than RMB16,800 million 
(inclusive). In the meantime, the Company entered into the H Share Subscription Agreement with Nan Lung (a 
wholly-owned subsidiary of CSAH), pursuant to which the Company is to issue not more than 613,358,614 
(inclusive) new H shares (“the H Share Issuance”). The total funds to be raised from the H Share Issuance will be 
not more than HKD3,500 million (inclusive). The consideration of A and H shares will be satisfied by cash. Both 
of the A Share Issuance and the H Share Issuance were approved by the Extraordinary General Meeting and 
the respective Class Meetings on 27 December 2019. The Company received the “Acceptance Notice of the 
Application for Administration Permission” issued by China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) for the A 
Share Issuance and H share Issuance on 6 January 2020 and 11 February 2020, respectively. Up to the issuance 
date of these financial statements, the A Share Issuance and H Share Issuance are under review by CSRC.

(b) 

The COVID-19 outbreak (the “Outbreak”) since early 2020 has brought about uncertainties in the Group’s 
operating environment and has impacted the Group’s operations and financial position. The Group’s revenue 
tonne kilometers for the first two months of 2020 has decreased by approximately 37% as compared to the same 
period of 2019. The Group estimates the Outbreak will have an adverse impact on the Group’s business operation 
and operating revenue for the year 2020, which casts uncertainties in the Group’s operating environment. The 
Group has been closely monitoring the impact of the developments on the Group’s business and has put in place 
contingency measures. These contingency measures include: temporarily reducing the numbers of flights of certain 
routes, provisionally suspending certain domestic and international routes according to the travel restrictions of 
related countries and regions. Based on the Group’s actual performance in early 2020, contingent measures put 
in place and unutilised available banking facilities (Note 4(a)), etc., the Directors of the Company have carried out a 
review of the cash flow forecast of the Group for the eighteen months period after the balance sheet date. Based 
on such forecast, the Directors of the Company believe that adequate funding will be available for the working 
capital and capital expenditure requirements of the Group during that period. Up to the issuance date of these 
financial statements, the Outbreak hasn’t ended and the Group cannot reasonably estimate its impact on the 
business operation and financial performance. The Group will proactively keep contingency measures under review 
as the situation evolves.

234

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued)59  Company-level statement of financial position

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Construction in progress
Right-of-use assets
Lease prepayments
Investments in subsidiaries
Interest in associates
Interest in joint ventures
Aircraft operating lease deposits
Other equity instrument investments
Other non-current financial assets
Derivative financial assets
Deferred tax assets
Other assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted bank deposits
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other financial assets
Derivative financial assets
Amounts due from related companies
Assets held for sale

Current liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Current portion of obligations under finance leases
Trade payables
Contract liabilities
Sales in advance of carriage
Deferred revenue
Current income tax
Amounts due to subsidiaries and other related companies
Accrued expenses
Other liabilities

31 December
2019
RMB million

1 January
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million
(Note)

57,282
30,121
125,269
–
9,283
1,059
1,933
375
188
22
3
2,530
1,106

229,171

1,235
1,626
5,933
858
78
1,533
–
218
1,955
689

55,279
29,634
107,419
–
8,727
832
1,839
497
234
16
75
2,279
893

207,724

1,053
2,071
5,231
3,620
78
2,489
440
–
956
–

130,279
29,634
–
1,316
8,727
832
1,839
497
234
16
75
1,534
1,103

176,086

1,053
2,071
5,231
3,620
78
2,891
440
–
956
–

14,125

15,938

16,340

–
37,241
15,511
–
835
–
8,318
1,442
–
4,673
12,331
4,803

85,154

44
32,280
12,730
–
281
1,572
7,007
–
310
5,069
12,233
4,560

76,086

44
32,280
–
7,883
281
1,572
7,007
–
310
5,069
12,562
4,560

71,568

235

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

59  Company-level statement of financial position (continued)

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Obligations under finance leases
Other non-current liabilities
Provision for major overhauls
Provision for early retirement benefits
Deferred benefits and gains

Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Reserves

Total equity

31 December
2019
RMB million

1 January
2019
RMB million

31 December
2018
RMB million
(Note)

Note

10,469
94,075
–
1,597
2,230
–
442

108,813

49,329

12,267
37,062

49,329

13,417
81,019
–
1,817
2,512
1
496

99,262

48,314

12,267
36,047

48,314

13,417
–
52,395
1,817
2,077
1
642

70,349

50,509

12,267
38,242

50,509

60

Note:  The Company has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated.

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 March 2020.

Wang Chang Shun
Director 

Ma Xu Lun
Director

236

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60  Reserves movement of the Company

Share 
premium

Fair value 
reserve 
(recycling)

Fair value 
reserve 
(non-
recycling)

Total
RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million RMB million

Other 
reserves

Retained 
profits

Balance at 1 January 2018

14,929

Changes in equity for 2018:

Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends approved in respect of the 

previous year

Appropriations to reserves
Issuance of shares

Balance at 31 December 2018 (Note)

Impact on initial application of IFRS 16

Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019

Changes in equity for 2019:

Total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends approved in respect of the 

previous year (Note 50(a))

Appropriations to reserves (Note 50(e))

–

–
–
10,470

25,399

–

25,399

–

–
–

Balance at 31 December 2019

25,399

34

22

–
–
–

56

–

56

93

2,595

9,297

26,948

8

–
–
–

101

–

101

–

1,803

1,833

–
221
–

2,816

(272)

2,544

(1,009)
(221)
–

9,870

(1,923)

7,947

(1,009)
–
10,470

38,242

(2,195)

36,047

(55)

(35)

–

1,718

1,628

–
–

1

–
–

66

–
181

2,725

(613)
(181)

(613)
–

8,871

37,062

Note:  The Company has initially applied IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach, 

comparative information is not restated.

237

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

61  Benefits and interests of directors and supervisors
(a)  Directors’ and supervisors’ emoluments

The remuneration of every director and supervisor for the year ended 31 December 2019 is set out below:

Name

Executive directors
Wang Chang Shun (Note (i))
Ma Xu Lun (Note (i)&(iii))
Han Wen Sheng (Note (i)&(iii))
Zhang Zi Fang (Note (i)&(iv))

Supervisors
Pan Fu (Note (i)&(iv))
Li Jia Shi (Note (ii))
Mao Juan
Lin Xiao Chun (Note (iii))

Independent non-executive directors
Tan Jin Song
Jiao Shu Ge
Zheng Fan (Note (vi))
Gu Hui Zhong (Note (vi))

Directors’ 
fees
RMB’000

Salaries, 
wages and 
welfare
RMB’000

Housing 
allowance
RMB’000

Employer’s 
contribution to 
a retirement 
benefit 
scheme
RMB’000

Total
RMB’000

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

150
150
60
60

–
–
–
–

–
–
712
367

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
129
90

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
841
457

150
150
60
60

238

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
61  Benefits and interests of directors and supervisors (continued)
(a)  Directors’ and supervisors’ emoluments (continued)

The remuneration of every director and supervisor for the year ended 31 December 2018 is set out below:

Directors’ 
fees
RMB’000

Salaries, 
wages and 
welfare
RMB’000

Housing 
allowance
RMB’000

Employer’s 
contribution to 
a retirement 
benefit 
scheme
RMB’000

Total
RMB’000

–
–
–

–
–
–

150
150
–
60

–
–
–

–
84
658

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
12
124

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
96
782

150
150
–
60

Name

Executive directors
Wang Chang Shun (Note (i))
Tan Wan Geng (Note (i) & (v))
Zhang Zi Fang (Note (i)&(iv))

Supervisors
Pan Fu (Note (i) & (iv))
Li Jia Shi (Note (ii))
Mao Juan

Independent non-executive directors
Tan Jin Song
Jiao Shu Ge
Zheng Fan (Note (vi))
Gu Hui Zhong (Note (vi))

Notes:

(i) 

(ii) 

These directors or supervisors did not receive any remuneration for their services in the capacity of the directors or supervisors 
of the Company. They also held management positions in CSAH and their salaries were borne by CSAH.

Mr. Li Jia Shi did not receive any remuneration for his service in the capacity of the supervisor of the Company since 1 February 
2018. He also held management position in CSAH and his salary was borne by CSAH.

(iii) 

Appointed on 8 May 2019.

(iv) 

Resigned on 8 May 2019.

(v)  Mr. Tan Wan Geng was an executive director of the Company before 30 November 2018, and resigned from the Company on 

30 November 2018.

(vi)  Mr. Zheng Fan and Mr. Gu Hui Zhong receive remuneration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the PRC.

(b)  Directors’ and supervisors’ termination benefits

None of the directors and supervisors received or will receive any termination benefits for the year ended 31 December 
2019 (2018: Nil).

239

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Expressed in Renminbi unless otherwise indicated)

61  Benefits and interests of directors and supervisors (continued)
(c )  Consideration provided to third parties for making available directors’ and 

supervisors’ services
For the year ended 31 December 2019, the Group did not pay consideration to any third parties for making available 
directors’ and supervisors’ services (2018: Nil).

(d)  Information about loans, quasi-loans and other dealings in favour of 

directors and supervisors, controlled bodies corporate by and connected 
entities with such directors and supervisors
As at 31 December 2019, there is no loans, quasi-loans and other dealing arrangements in favour of directors and 
supervisors, controlled bodies corporate by and connected entities with such directors and supervisors (2018: Nil).

(e)  Directors’ and supervisors’ material interests in transactions, arrangements 

or contracts
No significant transactions, arrangements and contracts in relation to the Group’s business to which the Company 
was a party and in which a director or supervisor of the Company had a material interest, whether directly or indirectly, 
subsisted at the end of the year or at any time during the year (2018: Nil).

62  Possible impact of amendments, new standards and 

interpretations issued but not yet effective for the year ended 31 
December 2019

Up to the date of issue of these financial statements, the IASB has issued a number of amendments, new standards 
and interpretations which are not yet effective for the year ended 31 December 2019 and which have not been adopted 
in these financial statements. These include the following which may be relevant to the Group.

Amendments to IFRS 3, Definition of a business

Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8, Definition of material

Effective for 
accounting periods 
beginning on or after

1 January 2020

1 January 2020

The Group is in the process of making an assessment of what the impact of these developments is expected to be in 
the period of initial application. So far the Group has concluded that the adoption of them is unlikely to have a significant 
impact on the consolidated financial statements.

240

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportNotes to the Financial Statements (Continued) 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

For the year ended 31 December 2019
(Prepared in accordance with PRC Accounting Standards)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

The following consolidated financial information is extracted from the consolidated financial statements of the Group, prepared 
under the PRC Accounting Standards.

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

Revenue
Less: Operating costs

Taxes and surcharges
Selling and distribution expenses
General and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Finance expenses

Including: Interest expenses

Interest income

Add: Other income

Investment income

Including: Income from investment in associates and joint ventures

Gain on fair value movement
Credit loss
Impairment loss
Gain on assets disposals

Operating profit
Add: Non-operating income
Less: Non-operating expenses

Profit before income tax
Less: Income tax

Net profit for the year

(1)  Net profit classified by continuity of operations:

1.  Net profit from continuing operations
2.  Net profit from discontinued operations

(2)  Net profit classified by ownership:
1.  Shareholders of the Company
2.  Non-controlling interests

154,322
135,668
348
7,923
4,040
352
7,460
5,845
74
4,084
225
200
265
(13)
(38)
148

3,202
924
56

4,070
975

3,095

3,095
–

2,651
444

143,623
128,613
272
7,086
3,736
221
5,108
3,202
125
4,320
483
463
12
(3)
(12)
622

4,009
849
371

4,487
1,031

3,456

3,456
–

2,983
473

241

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended 31 December 2019
(Prepared in accordance with PRC Accounting Standards)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL 
POSITION

Assets

Total current assets
Long-term equity investments
Fixed assets and construction in progress
Intangible assets and other non-current assets
Deferred tax assets
Derivative financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Other non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

31 December 
2019
RMB million

31 December 
2018
RMB million

16,738
6,445
123,718
157,045
2,697
3

306,646

95,490
232
133,870

229,592

63,863
13,191

77,054

306,646

24,072
5,992
207,920
7,022
1,574
75

246,655

83,687
668
84,117

168,472

65,003
13,180

78,183

246,655

242

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial ReportSupplementary Financial Information (Continued)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECONCILIATION OF DIFFERENCES IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
PREPARED UNDER DIFFERENT GAAPS

(1) 

The effect of the differences between PRC GAAP and IFRSs on profit attributable to equity shareholders of the 
Company is analysed as follows:

Amounts under PRC GAAP
Adjustments:
Capitalisation of exchange difference of specific loans
Government grants
Tax impact of the above adjustments
Effect of the above adjustments on non-controlling interests

Amounts under IFRSs

Note

(a)
(b)

2019
RMB million

2,651

(16)
1
4
–

2,640

2018
RMB million

2,983

(124)
1
31
4

2,895

(2) 

The effect of the differences between PRC GAAP and IFRSs on equity attributable to equity shareholders of the 
Company is analysed as follows:

Amounts under PRC GAAP
Adjustments:
Capitalisation of exchange difference of specific loans
Government grants
Adjustment arising from the Company’s business combination 

under common control

Tax impact of the above adjustments
Effect of the above adjustments on non-controlling interests

Amounts under IFRSs

Notes:

Note

(a)
(b)

(c)

2019
RMB million

63,863

2018
RMB million

65,003

56
(6)

237
(12)
(32)

72
(7)

237
(16)
(32)

64,106

65,257

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, exchange difference arising on translation of specific loans and related interest denominated 
in a foreign currency is capitalised as part of the cost of qualifying assets. Under IFRSs, such exchange difference should be 
recognised in income statement unless the exchange difference represents an adjustment to interest.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, assets related government grants (other than special funds) are deducted from the cost of 
the related assets. Special funds granted by the government and clearly defined in the approval documents as part of “capital 
reserve” are accounted for as increase in capital reserve. Under IFRSs, assets related government grants are deducted to the 
cost of the related assets. The difference is resulted from government grants received in previous years and are recognised in 
capital reserve under PRC GAAP.

In accordance with the PRC GAAP, the Company accounts for the business combination under common control by applying the 
pooling-of-interest method. Under the pooling-of-interest method, the difference between the historical carrying amount of the 
acquiree and the consideration paid is accounted for as an equity transaction. Business combinations under common control 
are accounted for as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the earliest comparative year presented or, if later, at the 
date that common control was established; for this purpose, relevant comparative figures are restated under PRC GAAP. Under 
IFRSs, the Company adopts the purchase accounting method for acquisition of business under common control.

243

Annual Report 2019About UsOperating ResultsCorporate GovernanceFinancial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY

For the year ended 31 December 2019
(Prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards)

The following consolidated financial information is extracted from the consolidated financial statements of the Group, prepared 
under International Financial Reporting Standards.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT SUMMARY

Operating revenue
Operating expenses
Other net income

Operating profit
Interest income
Interest expense
Share of associates’ results
Share of joint ventures’ results
Exchange (loss)/gain, net
Other non-operating income

Profit before income tax
Income tax

Profit for the year

Profit attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Profit for the year

Earnings per share
Basic and diluted

2019
RMB million

Year ended 31 December
2018
RMB million

2017
RMB million

2016
RMB million

154,322
(148,608)
5,124

143,623
(140,242)
5,438

127,806
(123,098)
4,448

114,981
(106,204)
3,835

10,838
74
(5,845)
(178)
365
(1,477)
278

4,055
(971)

3,084

2,640
444

3,084

8,819
125
(3,202)
263
200
(1,853)
12

4,364
(1,000)

3,364

2,895
469

3,364

9,156
89
(2,747)
431
99
1,801
45

8,874
(1,976)

6,898

5,961
937

6,898

12,612
89
(2,465)
509
102
(3,276)
90

7,661
(1,763)

5,898

5,044
854

5,898

2015
RMB million

111,652
(101,492)
3,278

13,438
253
(2,188)
460
108
(5,953)
–

6,118
(1,300)

4,818

3,736
1,082

4,818

RMB0.22

RMB0.27

RMB0.60

RMB0.51

RMB0.38

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
SUMMARY

As at 31 December

2019
RMB million

2018
RMB million

2017
RMB million

2016
RMB million

2015
RMB million

Non-current assets

290,190

222,877

200,834

186,678

171,876

Net current liabilities

78,752

59,615

51,693

54,168

51,422

Non-current liabilities

134,109

84,793

86,598

77,534

70,830

Total equity attributable to equity 
shareholders of the Company

64,106

65,257

49,936

43,456

39,045

Non-controlling interests

13,223

13,212

12,607

11,520

10,579

244

China Southern Airlines Company Limited Financial Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
www.csair.com

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