China's startup Yunnan Hongtu Airlines (A6) officially took delivery of its first aircraft, with an Airbus A321 aircraft landing smoothly at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) at 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 22.

The A321 aircraft, Registration B-8285, was welcomed by a traditional water cannon salute at Kunming airport.

Hongtu Airlines' first aircraft features an all-economy class configuration with 220 seats, which was named as "Dai" - a typical ethnic minority in Yunnan Province.

Positioned as a new carrier featuring Yunnan Province's local characteristics, Hongtu Airlines now is pursuing its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the CAAC with targets for a launch in December.

As the sixth airline based at Kunming airport, Hongtu Airlines will operate domestic passenger and cargo services out of Kunming, using Airbus A320 Family aircraft, according to an announcement released by the aviation watchdog.