Henan Airlines

Henan Airlines (Chinese: 河南航空; pinyin: Hénán Hángkōng, formerly Kunpeng Airlines (Chinese: 鲲鹏航空公司; pinyin: Kūnpéng Hángkōng Gōngsī), was a charter airline based in northern China. The airline was founded as a joint venture between Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group and was also the largest sino-foreign regional airline in China.[1] In 2009 Mesa Air Group and Shenzhen terminated their agreement and Shenzhen announced that the airline would be renamed Henan Airlines.

Henan Airlines
河南航空
IATA ICAO Callsign
VD KPA KUN PENG
Founded2006
Commenced operationsOctober 2007
Ceased operations27 August 2013
HubsZhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
Fleet size5
Destinations-
Parent companyShenzhen Airlines (51%)
HeadquartersZhengzhou
Websitenone

History

The agreement to form Kunpeng Airlines was signed in December 2006, with service beginning in October 2007. Kunpeng operated passenger and cargo services, and charter flights. The airline began flying Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft leased from Mesa Air Group.[2] The airline's livery was made up of red, white, and gold. The airline's name is derived from a mythical Chinese bird.[3]

In August 2008, Kunpeng moved its headquarters and operating base to Zhengzhou. Kunpeng was operating at a financial loss, and it was hoped that the move would bring the airline into profitability. Kungpeng had planned on having 200 aircraft operating 900 daily flights by 2016.[4]

In August 2008, Mesa Air Group stated that it intended to sell all of its shares in Kunpeng to its partner Shenzhen Airlines.[5] In June 2009, Mesa Air Group sold its financial stake in Kunpeng Airlines and all its leased CRJ 200s were returned to the US.

In 2009, Shenzhen Airlines announced that Kunpeng Airlines would be renamed Henan Airlines, operating Embraer E-190 aircraft.[6]

On August 27, 2010, Henan provincial authorities revoked the company name "Henan Airlines" that it had previously approved, citing the bad reputation the airline had brought to the province in the aftermath of Henan Airlines Flight 8387.[7][8][9] Henan's provincial government had provided incentives for the airline to move its hub from Xi'an, Shaanxi to Zhengzhou, Henan's capital and largest city.

Fleet
Henan Airlines

When the airline ceased the flight operations in August 2013, the Henan Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[10]

Kunpeng Fleet
Aircraft In Fleet Orders Passengers Notes
J Y Total
Comac ARJ21-700 — 100[11]
TBA
 Largest order for the type, later cancelled
Embraer 190 4 — 6 92 98
Total 4 100

Incidents and accidents

On August 24, 2010, Henan Airlines Flight 8387 crashed shortly before landing at Yichun Lindu Airport. There were 44 fatalities among the 96 passengers and crew on board.[12]

References
  1. "Sino-American regional airlines set up in China". Chinadaily.com.cn. 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  2. Luchtvaart Nieuws, Mesa samen met Shenzhen Airlines in Chinese regionale maatschappij, 9 August 2007 (Dutch)
  3. East Valley Tribune, Mesa Air looks to China for growth Archived 2007-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, 15 August 2007
  4. "ATW Daily News". Archived from the original on 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  5. "ATW Daily News". Archived from the original on 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
  6. "Airlines' name revoked after plane crash" China.org.cn. August 28, 2010. Retrieved on August, 2023.
  7. Kaminski-Morrow, David. "Chinese authority orders Henan name-change after crash." Flight International. August 29, 2010. Retrieved on August 29, 2010.
  8. "河南省工商行政管理局撤销河南航空公司登记_民航新闻_民航资源网". News.carnoc.com. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  9. "河南省工商行政管理局--关于撤销河南航空有限公司企业名称登记的公告". Archived from the original on 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  11. "Ceremony inaugurates Chinese jet". BBC News. 21 December 2007.
  12. "ASN Aircraft accident Embraer ERJ 190-100 LR (ERJ-190LR) B-3130 Yichun Lindu Airport (LDS)". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
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