HNA Group's long-dormant Air Changan will operate as a budget carrier when it resumes independent operation in this May.

As part of revamp, Air Changan adopts a brand new aircraft livery, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued an operating certificate to Air Changan on April 5, with flight code 9H.

The Xi'an-based carrier is expected to launch its inaugural flight in May and will operate a Boeing 737-800 initially on routes from Xi'an to the cities along China's Silk Road.

Air Changan will become the seventh Chinese carrier with an operating base in Xi'an, following China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Joy Air and Shenzhen Airlines.

Air Changan started formal operations in 1993 and merged with Hainan Airlines in August 2000. At present, the carrier, though active, acts as a capacity provider leasing out its entire fleet of four 737-800s to the Haikou-based carrier.

Related News:

    China's Air ChangAn Returns to Independent Operations