Two Startup Airlines Poised for Takeoff from Hefei, East China

Hefei, capital city of East China's Anhui Province, has started preparations of two new local airlines, namely Hefei Airlines and Haifu Airline, according to the Provincial Department of Transport.

Hefei Airlines was established on Jan. 20, 2013 following the signing of an agreement between Joy Air (JR) and Hefei Municipal Government. The share structure was not disclosed. Joy Air, in turn, is 40% owned by China Eastern Airlines (MU). The start-up carrier postponed its maiden flight scheduled on June 30, 2014. It is now waiting approvals from the aviation authorities.

Upon establishment, Hefei Airlines would introduce three aircraft from Joy Air at the initial stage. In a long term, Hefei Airlines will buy aircraft from Airbus or Boeing to embark on trunk line business, given that trunk line is more profitable than regional one. The proposed carrier is expected to operate 50 to 60 routes with a fleet of 25-30 aircraft by the end of 2020. Aiming to build an extensive network, the Hefei-based airline will combine regional with trunk line business and strive to launch international services in the future.

Haifu Airlines, though unknown for the mass, has received preliminary approval from CAAC Southeast Regional Administration. On July 31, 2015, Yu Ping, general manager of the scheduled Haifu Airlines visited Anhui Civil Airport Group Co. to discuss the establishment of local air carrier.

Hefei will be at the convergence of HSR lines, but there will be opportunities to connect the city with nearby cities that do not overlap with HSR. Indeed, the preliminary plan calls for the carrier to operate 50-70 routes with 30 aircraft by 2020.

Based at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HEF), the two start-up carrier will be focused on regional routes to neighboring cities and other cities in Anhui Province, followed by trunk routes to major domestic and international destinations.
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