| |||||||
Founded | 26 May 2004 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hubs | |||||||
Focus cities | Shijiazhuang | ||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Spring Pass | ||||||
Subsidiaries | Spring Airlines Japan (30%) | ||||||
Fleet size | 125 | ||||||
Destinations | 100[1] | ||||||
Parent company | Spring Airlines Ltd. | ||||||
Traded as | SSE: 601021 | ||||||
Headquarters | Shanghai, China | ||||||
Key people | Wang Yu | ||||||
Website | ch.com |
Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 春秋航空股份公司; pinyin: Chūnqiū Hángkōng Gǔfèn Gōngsī) is a low-cost carrier headquartered in Changning, Shanghai, China.[2][3] 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 950 million yuan ($143 million) in 2016.
History
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.[4]
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[5] 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.[6]
Destinations
As of January 2024, Spring Airlines flies to the following destinations:
Fleet
As of December 2023, Spring Airlines operates the following aircraft:[15][16][17]
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 78 | — | 174 | |
180 | ||||
186 | ||||
Airbus A320neo | 34 | 3 | 186 | |
Airbus A321neo | 12 | 240 | ||
Total | 124 | 3 |
Accidents and incidents
On June 6, 2014, at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, an Airbus A320 operated by Spring Airlines experienced a runway incursion 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.[18]
References
- ↑ "Spring Airlines on ch-aviation.com". ch-aviation.com. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ↑ "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"
- ↑ 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"
- ↑ "China's Spring Airlines", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 1, 2007.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Wang, Ying (30 August 2011). "Spring Airlines looks to Japan for expansion". China Daily. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- ↑ "Spring Airlines adjusts planned Guangzhou international routes in Sep 2016". routesonline. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ Liu, Jim (25 September 2019). "Spring Airlines expands Macau network in W19". Routesonline. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ↑ Liu, Jim (25 September 2019). "Spring Airlines expands Macau network in W19". Routesonline. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ↑ "Spring Airlines adds new SE Asia routes in W16". routesonline. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ↑ "Spring Airlines adds Shenzhen – Johor Bahru from Jan 2017".
- ↑ "Spring Airlines NW22 International Network Additions".
- ↑ "Spring Airlines plans Yangon launch in July 2019".
- ↑ "SPRING AIRLINES ADDS BANGKOK DON MUEANG FLIGHTS IN 1Q23". Aeroroutes. 24 January 2023.
- ↑ "Spring Airlines Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ↑ "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 11.
- ↑ Jake Hardiman (9 January 2022). "100+ Airbus Twinjets: The Spring Airlines Fleet In 2022". Simple Flying.
- ↑ "Accident: Spring A320 at Xiamen on Jun 6th 2014, runway excursion and tail strike on go around".