Xiamen Airlines (MF, Xiamen) is reportedly considering acquiring Hebei Airlines (NS, Shijiazhuang) following months of tough negotiations. In its report, WCARN says that since its inception in 2010, Hebei has struggled to make an impact in its namesake province where China Eastern Airlines (MU, Shanghai Hongqiao) and Spring Airlines (9C, Shanghai Hongqiao) dominate the market.

Having racked up losses totalling CNY1billion (USD159million) over the last three years, the carrier's majority shareholder, Jizhong Energy Group Co., reportedly approached Xiamen offering the airline its controlling stake.

Jizhong Energy Group Co. itself is facing tough times and sees the divestiture as a means of cutting costs.

Formerly Northeast Airlines (2007) (Guilin), Hebei operates four B737-700s, four B737-800s and five E190s on flights throughout China.