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Founded | 2004 | ||||||
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Hubs |
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport |
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Focus cities | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | ||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Spring Pass | ||||||
Fleet size | 63 | ||||||
Destinations | 34 | ||||||
Parent company | Spring Airlines Ltd. | ||||||
Headquarters | Shanghai, China | ||||||
Key people | Wang Zhenghua | ||||||
Website | ch.com |
Spring Airlines (Chinese: 春秋航空; pinyin: Chūnqiū Hángkōng; abbreviated 春航 Chūn Háng) is a low-cost carrier with its headquarters in the Homeyo Hotel (航友宾馆 Hángyǒu Bīnguǎn) in Changning District, Shanghai, China. While the company adopted the English name "Spring Airlines", the Chinese name literally means "Spring Autumn Airlines."
Spring Airlines is the aviation subsidiary of Shanghai Spring International Travel Service. It reported a net profit of 470 million yuan ($71.2 million) in 2010.
The airline was given approval to be established on 26 May 2004. Its first aircraft, an Airbus A320 (formerly of Lotus Air), was delivered on 12 July 2005, at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Spring Airlines started operations on 18 July 2005 and the first flight on that day was between Shanghai and Yantai. Daily flights to Guilin were also initiated.
To keep operating costs low, Spring sells tickets exclusively from its springairlines.com website (and some designated ticket offices), bypassing travel agents. Spring no longer offers complimentary on-board meals nor complimentary water; however passengers are able to purchase meals and beverages on board. In December 2006, the airline offered a 1-yuan promotional price which caused trouble with government officials.
In late July 2009, Spring's plan to establish overseas routes was granted by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of the People's Republic of China, making it the first budget airline in China to explore the international market. The airline plans to operate short-distance routes linking mainland Chinese cities to Hong Kong and Macau, as well as neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea and Russia.