China United Airlines Co., Ltd. (simplified Chinese: 中国联合航空公司; traditional Chinese: 中國聯合航空公司; pinyin: Zhōngguó Liánhé Hángkōng gōngsī) is a low-cost carrier[1] and a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines with its headquarters and main hub on the grounds of Beijing Daxing International Airport in Daxing District, Beijing, operating scheduled flights and charter services in co-operation with local enterprises out of Daxing Airport.
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Founded | 25 December 1986; 35 years ago (1986-12-25) | ||||||
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Hubs | Beijing Daxing International Airport | ||||||
Fleet size | 57 | ||||||
Destinations | 32 | ||||||
Parent company | China Eastern Airlines | ||||||
Headquarters | Fengtai District, Beijing | ||||||
Website | flycua.com |
China United Airlines was established in 1986 as an arm of the civil transport division of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. In November 2002, all scheduled services were ceased, followed by a full suspension of flight operations in 2003 due to a Chinese governmental regulation prohibiting the Army from being directly involved in commercial activities. On June 4, 2005, the Civil Aviation Administration of China approved the relaunch of the airline. Now with Shanghai Airlines holding 80 percent of the stake, as well as CASGC as a secondary shareholder. Even though China United Airlines has since then lost its military status, uniquely enough for an airline it is still permitted to use military air base as destinations, in contrast to other Chinese airlines and other airlines in general.
In 2000, China United Airlines spent US$120 million to buy a Boeing 767-300ER, which was previously ordered by Delta, as Jiang Zemin's private jet. Several days before its first flight, covert listening devices were found installed in toilet, corridor, and even in Jiang's headboard. Listening device were believed to be controlled and monitored by satellite. CIA, U.S embassy in China, and China United Airlines refuse to comment on this incident.[2][3] The specific aircraft was sold to Air China and later to Sunday Airlines of Kazakhstan.
China United Airlines was acquired by China Eastern Airlines in October 2010 as a result of acquisitions.[4]
With the opening of the Beijing Daxing International Airport on 26 September 2019, China United Airlines began service at the new airport as its main hub and ceased service from Beijing Nanyuan Airport which was its main operating base for 35 years.[5][6]
The headquarters is on the grounds of Beijing Daxing International Airport in Daxing District, Beijing.[7] Previously the headquarters were in Fengtai District.[8][9]
The customer service center is in Xinhua District, Shijiazhuang, Hebei.[10]
As of October 2019[update], the China United Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[11]
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
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Boeing 737-700 | 8 | — | 144 | |||
Boeing 737-800 | 49 | 1 | 186 | |||
Total | 57 | 1 |
The airline previously operated the following aircraft:
Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
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Airbus A319-100 | 3 | 2012 | 2015 | Transferred to People's Liberation Army Air Force |
Hawker Siddeley Trident | 10 | 1986 | 1993 | |
Tupolev Tu-154M | 11 | 1986 | 2011 | Transferred to People's Liberation Army Air Force |
China United Airlines has a total of 7 special livery aircraft in service, all of which are named after cities in China:
办公地址:北京市大兴区大兴国际机场东航基地A2
北京市丰台区警备东路6号西区一号院
通信地址 河北省石家庄市新华区友谊北大街369号 中联航客户服务中心(收)邮编:050061
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Airlines with footnotes are headquartered in Hong Kong1 or Macau2 Special Administrative Regions See also List of defunct airlines of China |
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