First new Chinese carriers in six years take to the air

Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co Ltd made its first flight on Dec 29, becoming the first new air carrier in China since 2007.

After a six-year suspension, China's aviation authority began accepting applications for new airlines in early 2013.

Local governments and private capital are the main forces to establish new airlines this year.

Urumqi Urban Construction Investment and Hainan Airlines will build up Urumqi Airlines.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China also approved several new airlines founded by private capital, such as Ruili Airlines in Yunnan province and Qingdao Airlines in Shandong province.

But, as opposed to the previous tendency of private capital rushing into the aviation industry, which happened in 2004, this year, the privately owned companies investing in the industry are more cautious, and most have related experience.

wangwen@chinadaily.com.cn