The CAAC has approved an air operator’s licence for Qingdao Airlines, which will be based at Qingdao Liuting International Airport. The carrier is owned by Nanshan Group, which has invested CNY550 million in cash for a 55% stake, Qingdao Municipal Transport Development Group, which paid invest CNY250 million (USD39.1 million) for a 25% stake, and Shandong Airlines which has paid CNY200 million (USD31.3 million) for the remaining 20% of the company.
The carrier has been approved to lease three A320s by the National Development and Reform Commission and the CAAC has approved the lease of two CRJ700 aircraft from Shandong Airlines.
The airline has recruited 19 pilots, 25 maintenance staff, four dispatch staff, 18 cabin crew, four transport crew and seven security/safety staff.