CAAC approves AOC for China’s Longjiang Airlines

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved an air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Harbin-based Longjiang Airlines, which is scheduled to launch its inaugural flight this year. The new venture, which is wholly owned by Harbin Xiangyu Co., has a registered capital of CNY800m ($130m). Longjiang Airlines has purchased two Airbus A321s and is expected to lease one A320. It plans to expand its fleet to 30 aircraft by 2020 and is expected to order 15-20 A320s and Embraer E-190s from Airbus and Embraer. The new venture will open domestic regional services from Harbin to routes including Daqing, Qiqihar, Mudanjiang, Jixi, Jiamusi, Heihe and Mohe as well as trunk routes from Harbin to Beijing, Shanghai, Sanya, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Kunming. It also plans to open international routes to Japan, Korea and Russia. Longjiang Airlines has hired 20 pilots, 12 cabin crew, 23 MRO professionals and 30 other aviation staff.<br/>