Hunan-based regional airline to enter Chinese airspace

China’s Changsha Huanghua International Airport is preparing for the launch of a regional airline that will be partially owned by the Hunan provincial govt. According to Liu Zhiren, GM of the Hunan Airport Management Group, the new carrier will be named Zhongnan Airlines. Liu revealed that China Southern Airlines or its subsidiaries Xiamen Airlines or Hainan Airlines will be partners in the start-up carrier. It is increasingly common in China to launch regional airlines through cooperation with municipal or provincial govts. As Chinese regional carriers partner with local govts, they seek cash support and favourable policies on taxes, landing fees, ground-handling fees and land resources. Local govts hope that launching airlines will stimulate economic growth. <br/>