Air China, the country's flag carrier, is set to become the newest member of the Star Alliance group of international airlines, diplomats and industry officials said on Friday.

They said the airline, the sixth largest in the Asia-Pacific region, would sign an agreement to join Star Alliance in Beijing on Monday in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Star Alliance's members include Lufthansa, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Merkel is due to arrive in Beijing late on Sunday for a two-day visit.