The Okay Airways Co., Ltd. is expected to be China's first
private airline to start flying by the end of this year, while two
others are also ready to fly, according to the Civil Aviation
Administration of China (CAAC).
The company is undergoing the last step of examination, which is
expected to end by November 20. If approved, it will become China's
first private airline to take off.
Okay Airways plans to introduce six Boeing 737 aircraft and
expects to set off by the end of this year as scheduled. Meanwhile,
China's other two private airlines, the United Eagle Airlines and
the Air Spring are speeding up their efforts to fly, CAAC sources
said.
Among the three private airlines approved by the CAAC, Okay
Airways has the highest registered capital of 300 million yuan
(US$36.5 million), but it still lacks the ability to afford
airliners usually costing tens of millions US dollars. The airline
is likely to rent or finance the six aircraft.
Headquartered in Beijing, Okay Airways will be based in the
Tianjin Binhai International Airport, focusing on domestic air
cargo and express services, passenger charter services and ground
distribution services.
Okay Airways is still seeking experienced staff. So far, it has
more than 30 pilots, including pilots from overseas.
Based in southwest China's Sichuan
Province, the United Eagle Airlines will launch its first
flight at the beginning of next year while Air Spring, based in the
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, with a registered capital of 100 million
yuan (US$12 million) will introduce short- and mid-range aircraft
from America and Europe.
The CAAC gave the green light for the three private airlines in
May, an initial step toward breaking the government's monopoly on
passenger air transport.
(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2004)