Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines. It is a major Chinese airline headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian, and is a subsidiary of the state-owned China Southern Airlines. Established in 1984, it was the first airline in the People's Republic of China to operate on a corporate entity basis. The carrier operates an extensive domestic and international network from its primary hubs at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and Fuzhou Changle International Airport.

History

The airline was founded on July 25, 1984, through a joint venture between the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Fujian provincial government, marking a significant reform in the nation's aviation industry. Its initial fleet consisted of leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft, with its first commercial flight operating between Xiamen and Beijing Capital International Airport. A pivotal development occurred in 2012 when China Southern Airlines completed its acquisition of a controlling stake, integrating the carrier more deeply into one of China's "Big Three" airline groups. This partnership was further solidified in 2022 when Xiamen Airlines officially joined the global SkyTeam alliance alongside its parent company, expanding its international reach and service offerings.

Fleet

As of recent data, the airline operates a modern, all-Boeing fleet, a notable distinction among Chinese carriers, comprising over 200 aircraft. The backbone of its operations is the Boeing 737 Next Generation and the advanced Boeing 737 MAX series, which serve its dense domestic and regional routes. For longer-haul international services, the fleet includes the wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner, facilitating flights to destinations across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. The airline has historically maintained a strategy of fleet commonality to enhance operational efficiency and maintenance logistics, with its orders and deliveries closely coordinated through China Aviation Supplies Holding Company and its parent, China Southern Airlines.

Destinations

The airline's network spans more than 150 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Australasia. Its primary domestic hubs at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and Fuzhou Changle International Airport connect extensively to major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Key international routes from these hubs include services to Singapore Changi Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Los Angeles International Airport, and Sydney Airport. The airline also utilizes Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport as a significant secondary base, facilitating connections within the Yangtze River Delta region and to Southeast Asian destinations.

Corporate affairs

The airline is a listed company on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, though it remains majority-controlled by its state-owned parent, China Southern Airlines. Its corporate headquarters are located in the Xiamen Aviation Center. The carrier is known for its strong operational safety record and customer service, having received the CAPA Asia Pacific Airline of the Year award. Its frequent-flyer program, the Egret Club, is integrated with the membership systems of both China Southern Airlines and the SkyTeam alliance. The airline also engages in various joint ventures and codeshare agreements with partners such as China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, and Garuda Indonesia to expand its global network reach.

Accidents and incidents

The airline has maintained an excellent safety record throughout its operational history, with no fatal accidents involving its jet aircraft. A notable incident occurred in August 2018 when a Boeing 737-800 operating a flight from Xiamen to Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport overshot the runway during landing in stormy weather. The aircraft, registered B-5498, was substantially damaged but there were no fatalities among the passengers and crew, with injuries reported. The investigation by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Air Accident Investigation Institute of the Philippines highlighted factors including adverse weather and operational procedures. This event remains the most serious incident in the carrier's history.

Category:Airlines of China Category:Companies based in Xiamen Category:SkyTeam members