China Express Airlines (G5, Chongqing) is the latest Chinese carrier to announce plans to overhaul its operations and reinvent itself as a Low Cost Carrier. China's WCARN aviation newswire states the Guiyang-based airline has already begun restructuring with the following cost-cutting measures already in place: the operation of an all Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) fleet; improved direct sales support and boosting auxiliary operating revenue.
Thus far, West Air (China) (PN, Chongqing) and China United Airlines (KN, Beijing Daxing International), subsidiaries of Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) and China Eastern Airlines (MU, Shanghai Hongqiao) respectively, have been earmarked for transformation into Low Cost Carriers.
Commenting on the transformation, airline management said strong competition on flights between China's second- and third-tier cities had led to the need for viable LCCs.
China Express operates four CRJ200s and nine CRJ900s on flights to 41 destinations located throughout China.
