Henan Airlines

Henan Airlines
河南航空
IATA ICAO Callsign
VD KPA KUN PENG
Founded 2006
Hubs Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
Fleet size 4
Destinations -
Parent company Shenzhen Airlines (51%)
Headquarters Zhengzhou
Website kunpeng-air.com

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. Kunpeng was originally founded as a joint venture between Shenzhen Airlines of China and Mesa Air Group of the United States 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.

History

The agreement to form Kunpeng Airlines was signed in December 2006, with service beginning in October 2007. Kunpeng operated both passenger and cargo services, as well as charter flights. The airline originally flew 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 derives 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 they intended to sell all of their shares in Kunpeng to their partner Shenzhen Airlines.[5] In June 2009, Mesa Air Group sold its financial stake in Kunpeng Airlines and all its leased CRJ 200's were returned to the US.

In 2009, Shenzhen Airlines announced that Kunpeng Airlines it 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 previously provided incentives for the airline to move its hub from Xi'an, Shaanxi to Zhengzhou, Henan's capital and largest city.

Destinations

Further information: Henan Airlines destinations

Fleet

The Kunpeng Airlines fleet consisted of the following aircraft (as of January 2013) :

Kunpeng Fleet
Aircraft In Fleet Orders Passengers Notes
J Y Total
Comac ARJ21-700 — 100[10]
TBA
 Largest order for the type
Embraer E190 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 42 fatalities among the 96 passengers and crew on board.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Sino-American regional airlines set up in China
  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, 15 August 2007
  4. ↑ http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=13558
  5. ↑ http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=13744
  6. ↑ "KUN PENG AIRLINES TO BECOME HENAN AIRLINES." Asiainfo Services. December 9, 2009. Retrieved on July 11, 2010.
  7. ↑ Kaminski-Morrow, David. "Chinese authority orders Henan name-change after crash." Flight International. August 29, 2010. Retrieved on August 29, 2010.
  8. ↑ http://news.carnoc.com/list/168/168619.html
  9. ↑ http://www.haaic.gov.cn/ContentDetaillUI.action?contentId=5421
  10. ↑ "Ceremony inaugurates Chinese jet". BBC News. 21 December 2007.
  11. ↑ "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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