Chinese start-up carrier Fuzhou Airlines may commence operation with its maiden flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai on October 1, reporter learnt from its parent company Hainan Airlines (HU) on June 17.

Fuzhou Airlines is a joint venture among Hainan Airlines, Fuzhou State-owned Assets Investment Holdings Ltd., Century Golden Resources Group and Ningbo Ruitong Network Technology Co., Ltd. Hainan Airlines holds a 60% stake in the joint venture with an investment of 1.2 billion yuan.

Fuzhou Airlines started its preparatory work in February, with Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) as its basis. In June, the new entity was approved to introduce 5 Boeing 737-800s from its parent company Hainan Airlines (HU), among which three 737-800s will be injected as assets into Fuzhou Airlines by Hainan Airlines, with the rest two introduced through leasing from the Haikou-based carrier.

Currently, the Fuzhou Airlines is proceeding on certification-approval of its operating certificate from CAAC Southeast Regional Administration. "It is expected to commence operation in October, probably starting with Guangzhou-Shanghai route," a responsible member of Hainan Airlines disclosed. Fuzhou Airlines will focus on domestic market in the initial stage, and gradually cover all major cities in China and some neighboring countries as its fleet expands. Besides, the company is planning to apply for several popular routes from Fuzhou to Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming and Guangzhou.

In addition, the Fuzhou-based airline was approved to recruit cabin crew and flight security in this month. Its first recruitment drive will take place in Fuzhou next week, which is jointly organized by Hainan Airline and Fuzhou Airline.

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