Spring Airlines

Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 春秋航空股份公司; pinyin: Chūnqiū Hángkōng Gǔfèn Gōngsī; Wade–Giles: Ch'un1-ch'iu1 Hang2-k'ung1 Ku3-fen4 Kung1-ssŭ1) is a low-cost carrier with its headquarters in the Homeyo Hotel (Chinese: 航友宾馆; pinyin: Hángyǒu Bīnguǎn; Wade–Giles: Hang2-yu3 Pin1-kuan3) in Changning District, Shanghai, China.[1][2] While the company adopted the English name "Spring Airlines", the Chinese name literally means "Spring Autumn Airlines".

"Spring Air" redirects here. For the American mattress maker, see Spring Air Company.
Spring Airlines
春秋航空
Chūnqiū Hángkōng
Ch'un1-ch'iu1 Hang2-kung1
IATA ICAO Callsign
9C CQH AIR SPRING
Founded26 May 2004 (2004-05-26)
Hubs
Focus citiesShijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Frequent-flyer programSpring Pass
SubsidiariesSpring Airlines Japan
Fleet size125
Destinations100
Parent companySpring Airlines Ltd.
Traded asSSE: 601021
HeadquartersShanghai, China
Key peopleWang Yu
Websitech.com
An Airbus A320-200 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Homeyo Hotel, the headquarters

Spring Airlines is the aviation subsidiary of Shanghai Spring International Travel Service. It reported a net profit of 950 million yuan ($143 million) in 2016.

History and development
Spring Airlines Airbus A320-214 at Kansai Airport
Passengers boarding a Spring Airlines aircraft via airstair

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 ch.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.[3]

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 had 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, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

On July 29, 2010, Spring Airlines launched its first international route linking its home city Shanghai and Japan's Ibaraki Airport, about 80 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. 2 months later, on September 28, the airline successfully introduced its first flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong with almost full passengers on board. Spring's daily flights from Shanghai to Macau commenced on 8 April 2011[4] with further international destinations following in the second half of 2011.

Since January 2015, the company has been listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Spring Airlines also operates a subsidiary in Japan and is the first Chinese airline to do so.[5]

Fleet
An Airbus A320-200 with 2021 livery at Ningbo Lishe International Airport

As of May 2022, the Spring Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[6][7][8]

Spring Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 79 — 174
180
186
Airbus A320neo 34 17 186
Airbus A321neo 12 4 240
Total 125 21

Accidents and incidents

On June 6, 2014, at Xiamen Airport, an Airbus A320 operated by Spring Airlines experienced a runway excursion on the right side of the runway and struck a runway light. The pilot then attempted to go around, causing a tail strike. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. An investigation was conducted by China's Accident Investigation Board.[9]

References
  1. "Spring Airlines Business Office & Airport Ticket Office Archived 2011-05-28 at the Wayback Machine." Spring Airlines. Retrieved on February 13, 2011. "Spring Airlines Head Office: [...] Mailing Address: Spring Airlines Customer Service Center. 4th Floor, Building No.3, Homeyo Hotel, No.2550 Hongqiao Road, Shanghai 200335 ." Address in Chinese: "邮寄地址：上海市虹桥路2550号航友宾馆3号楼4楼春秋航空股份公司客户服务中心"
  2. Home Archived 2011-02-07 at the Wayback Machine. Homeyo Hotel. Retrieved on February 13, 2011. "上海市迎宾一路425号"
  3. "China's Spring Airlines", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 1, 2007.
  4. http://www.businessnewsmacau.com/2011/04/spring-airlines-launched-shanghai-%E2%80%93-macau-service-from-8-april-2011/ Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine 12 April 2011
  5. Wang, Ying (30 August 2011). "Spring Airlines looks to Japan for expansion". China Daily. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  6. "Spring Airlines Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  7. "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 11.
  8. Jake Hardiman (9 January 2022). "100+ Airbus Twinjets: The Spring Airlines Fleet In 2022". Simple Flying.
  9. "Accident: Spring A320 at Xiamen on Jun 6th 2014, runway excursion and tail strike on go around".
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