Xiamen Airlines (MF, Xiamen) will expand its fleet to 150 aircraft by 2015 in preparation for its entry into the intercontinental scene. Chinese aviation portal, WCARN, says the carrier is planning to open new routes to Hanoi Noi Bai International, Vientiane, Phnom Penh and Osaka Kansai with widebody services to new long-haul international services to include London, New York JFK and Sydney Kingsford Smith.

At present, the airline operates fifteen B737-700s, seventy-eight B737-800s and six B757-200s on both domestic and regional flights to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

"The government will fully support the development of Xiamen Airlines, help it solve practical difficulties in the field of production and management, and create a favorable environment and conditions to accelerate its development," Liu Keqing, the mayor of Xiamen, said during a visit of the airline's headquarters.

Xiamen Airlines will also invest about CNY20billion (USD328million) in building a new headquarters at the upcoming Xiang'an International Airport, Xiamen's second airport on Dadeng Island, Xiang'an District.