China Eastern Quits Shijiazhuang-Hong Kong Flights on Impact from Spring Airlines
Business China | Jul. 13, 2011
July 13, China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd., one of China's top 3 state-owned carriers, has decided to suspend its flights between Shijiangzhuang, Hebei province and Hong Kong starting this July, which analysts believe was due to impact from low-budget carrier Spring Airlines Co. Ltd.
Spring Airlines is planning to make the Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport its second hub, which has been a hub only to China Eastern since 2004, when the state-owned carrier opened routes to the provincial capital of Hebei.
China Eastern said instabilities in the market has led to the flight suspension, but analysts approached by news portal NetEase believe it may be due to another reason: fierce competition from low-budget Spring Airlines.
But China Eastern did say that the suspension would be removed as early as November this year.