From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
China United Airlines Co., Ltd. is an airline based in Beijing, People's Republic of China. It operates scheduled charter services in co-operation with local enterprises, as well as ordinary scheduled services. Its main base is Beijing Nanyuan Airport. China United is the only airline that uses this airport, a former military airfield 18 kilometers to the south of central Beijing. [1]
The airline should not be confused with US-based United Airlines, which flies to Beijing Capital International Airport, the city's primary airport.
[edit] History
The airline was established in 1986 as an arm of People's Liberation Army civil transport division. In November 2002, China United Airlines terminated its scheduled services across the country. In 2003, the airline suspended operations due to a new regulation imposed by the Chinese government which prohibited the People's Liberation Army from being directly involved in commercial activities.
On June 4, 2005, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) approved China United Airlines to be reconstructed by Shanghai Airlines and China Aviation Supplies (CASGC), with Shanghai Airlines holding 80% of the stake. Even though the airline has now lost its military status, it is still allowed to continue to fly using military airports and to reach destinations which are inaccessible by other commercial airlines in China.
P. R. China's government VIPs, including the president, continue to fly on B-4025, a 737 nominally registered to China United Airlines.[citation needed]
[edit] Destinations
The China United Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft as of September 2009:
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 65. 2007-04-03.
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