China West Air to Set Up New Branch at Zhengzhou Airport

China West Air Co., Ltd. (PN), a low-cost subsidiary of HNA Group, will establish a new branch in Zhengzhou and become the second base passenger airlines at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO), as the Chongqing-based budget carrier signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Henan Airport Group Co., Ltd. on Nov. 12.

West Air has entered in Zhengzhou market since 2007 and set up an operating base at CGO in October 2013. Now, the Chongqing-based low-cost carrier operates 13 passenger routes linking Zhengzhou with 18 domestic cities.

In the first 10 months of this year, Zhengzhou airport handled a total of 14 million passengers, rising 9% year on year. Passenger throughput on international and regional routes jumped 35% from a year earlier, breaking a new record of over 1 million.

There are 47 airlines operating 161 routes at CGO (including 128 passenger routes). The to-be-launched new branch will be the second passenger base airline at the airport following China Southern Airlines Henan Co., Ltd.

Setting a new branch in Zhengzhou that will not only enhance CGO's air network but also bringing more convenience for local people.

West Air made its maiden flight on June 14, 2007 and transformed to be a low-cost carrier in September 2014. The airline operates nearly 40 domestic routes from its bases in Chongqing and Zhengzhou. It is expected to operate a fleet of 21 aircraft -- 4 A319s and 17 A320s -- by the end of 2015.

The Chongqing-based carrier was named Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline and China's Leading Low-Cost Airline at the 2015 World Travel Awards.