Yunnan Hongtu Airlines, a new local carrier under preparation, is expected to launch its inaugural flight in October if its first aircraft would be delivered on schedule, said the airline's president Tang Longcheng.

Receiving primarily approval from the aviation watchdog in April, the start-up carrier is currently undergoing certification, aiming to launch the maiden flight in October or at latest in December, said Mr. Tang.

With a registered capital of 600 million yuan, Yunnan Hongtu is looking to use a fleet of A320-200 jets to operate domestic flights.

Currently the company has finished its crew recruitment and ordered three A320s from Airbus, with the first A320 delivery scheduled in this October.

The airline will start operation as soon as the delivery fulfilled, though there is no specific destination for its first flight right now.

As the sixth base airline in Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) after China Eastern Yunnan Airlines (MU), Sichuan Airlines (3U), Lucky Air (8L), Kunming Airlines (KY) and Ruili Airlines (DR), Yunnan Hongtu has signed a 4-billion-yuan investment contract to build a base at KMG and to found an import and export business district in the airport core area covering 420 mu (about 69.20 acres).

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