Shanghai-based carrier and allies pony up $4.6 billion for acquisition war chest targeting other airline operators and may bid for HNA properties

Increase to 15 round trips weekly from each country offers stranded Chinese more ways home, but ticket prices are up tenfold from before pandemic

As Covid-19 pandemic rages abroad, China tries to reduce risk of imported infections with two-month-old rules that have slashed arrivals by 80%

Agreements cover wide range of sectors, with energy development and aviation as major winners

Shanghai carrier becomes first private Chinese airline to enter one of world’s top alliances, reflecting global aspirations of new generation of non-government carriers