Shenzhen Airlines, Mesa Air Group team up to launch new JV

A new regional airline has been set up by Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group, which is expected to begin operation in September 2007 and have 20 50-seat regional jets flying prior to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

Named after a mythical bird revered in Chinese culture, The new carrier Kunpeng Airlines will make its first flight on Sep. 16,

As the most rapidly expanding airline in China, Shenzhen Airlines has owned good reputation with 13 years profit, good flight safety record and elegant in-flight service in civil aviation market in China.

Jonathan Ornstein, president of Mesa, said his company had been seeking development opportunities overseas and China had provided a good policy environment for foreign businesses in its civil aviation market. He also mentioned that the new service will cover major cities nationwide including Shenzhen, Beijing, Chongqing, Xiamen, Nanjing, Kunming, Dalian, Shenyang, Xian, Zhengzhou and Nanning.