History
The agreement to form Kunpeng Airlines was signed in December 2006, and service began in October 2007. Kunpeng operated both passenger and cargo service as well as charter flights. The airline originally flew Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft which were leased from Mesa Air Group. The airline's livery was made up of red, white, and gold and the name derives from a mythical Chinese bird.
In August 2008, Kunpeng moved its headquarters and operating base to the city of Zhengzhou. Kunpeng was operating at a financial loss and it was hoped that the move would bring the airline into profit. Kungpeng planned on having 200 aircraft and operating 900 daily flights by 2016.
In August 2008, Mesa Air Group stated that they intended to sell all of their shares in Kunpeng to their partner Shenzhen Airlines.
As of June 2009, Mesa Air Group has sold its financial stake in Kunpeng Airlines and all the leased CRJ 200's have been returned to the US.
In 2009 Shenzhen announced that it would be renamed Henan Airlines operating Embraer E-190 aircraft.
On August 27, 2010, Henan provincial authorities revoked the company name "Henan Airlines" that it has previously approved, citing the bad reputation the airline has brought to the province in the aftermath of the plane crash. Henan provincial government had previously provided incentives for the airline to move its hub from Xi'an, Shaanxi to Zhengzhou, Henan's capital and largest city.
Read more about this topic: Henan Airlines
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.”
—Henry James (1843–1916)
“A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle, it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests.”
—Aristide Briand (1862–1932)
“It’s a very delicate surgical operation—to cut out the heart without killing the patient. The history of our country, however, is a very tough old patient, and we’ll do the best we can.”
—Dudley Nichols, U.S. screenwriter. Jean Renoir. Sorel (Philip Merivale)