Urumqi Air (UQ, Urumqi) has expanded its network to encompass destinations outside of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Despite having only commenced operations a month ago, the Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) subsidiary has now opened up services to Taiyuan and Zhengzhou.
"Urumqi Air will learn management experience from the LCCs and seize market share in China's second- and third-tier cities, based on its current four regional routes to Kashi, Hotan, Korla and Yining in Xinjiang. Taiyuan and Zhengzhou are just the start, we will launch more routes out of Xinjiang," Cen Jianjun, the airline's president told China's WCARN news.
Though it currently operates three B737-800s, Urumqi Air is looking to expand its fleet to 12 aircraft over the next 3 to 5 years. In the long term, it is also considering offering international services to Central Asia as well as Europe.
