Kunpeng Airlines, the Xi'an-based JV regional carrier created by Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group, is scheduled to launch services on Sep. 28 by opening 11 routes to destinations including Taiyuan, Tianjin, Yichang, Huhehaote, Nanchang, Zhengzhou and Hefei.

It is noteworthy that Kunpeng was registered in Beijing but its operating base is located in Xi'an. Chinese industry analysts suggest that this "western attraction" for regional startups is driven partly by CAAC's policy of encouraging growth in the region through subsidies.