Shanghai-based low-cost carrier Spring Airlines launched operations last week, as another privately owned Chinese carrier is poised to start.

Spring Airlines launched commercial operations on 18 July with a flight from Shanghai to Yantai, in Shandong province, using a leased Airbus A320. Chinese travel agency group Spring International Travel Service owns the airline, which will target leisure passengers.

United Eagle Airlines, a start-up low-cost carrier based in Chengdu, took delivery of its first A320 on 14 July and expects to launch commercial operations towards the end of the month.

Source: Flight International