9 Air (AQ, Guangzhou) says the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has completed an initial review of the start-up's application for an Air Operators Certificate (AOC). Once certified, the Juneyao Airlines (Shanghai Hongqiao) subsidiary intends to offer budget flights between Guangzhou and Zhanjiang Wuchuan.
According to the regulator, 9 Air is licensed to operate domestic passenger and cargo flights and has been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to lease three B737-800s as well as to purchase and lease back two A320-200s from Juneyao Airlines.
Backed by a total investment of CNY600million (USD93.8million), 9air is majority controlled by Juneyao Airlines with a 78.9% stake with the Elion Resources Group holding 15% and airline president Ji Guangping 6%. The remaining 0.1% is owned by Macrolink Group.
