Henan Airlines

Henan Airlines (Chinese: 河南航空; pinyin: Hénán Hángkōng, formerly Kunpeng Airlines (Chinese: 鲲鹏航空有限公司; pinyin: Kūnpéng Hángkōng Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī), is 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. 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, and service began in October 2007. Kunpeng operated both passenger and cargo service as well as charter flights. The airline originally flew Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft which were leased from Mesa Air Group. The airline's livery was made up of red, white, and gold and the name derives from a mythical Chinese bird.

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