Hongtu Airlines (Kunming Changshui) has taken delivery of its first aircraft as it pursues its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
According to Skyliner Aviation, B-8285 (cn 6156), one of two A321-200 (sl)s originally destined for UTair (UT, Khanty-Mansiysk), arrived at Kunming Changshui following a ferry flight routed Toulouse Francazal-Lourdes/Tarbes-Aktobe late last week. Sistership B-8318 (cn 6268) is still in France awaiting delivery to the Far East.
Backed by CNY600 million (USD96.6 million) in start-up capital, Hongtu Airlines is a joint venture between Kunming Evergreen Financing (30%), local tycoon Tang Longcheng (20%), with the remaining 50% held by a group of five local companies each owning a 10% share. Once certified, the carrier will focus on operating domestic passenger and cargo services out of the southwestern Chinese hub of Kunming.
