LJ Air (LT, Harbin) is set to make its debut in December this year China's WCARN reports. Owned by Harbin-based gold merchant and former vice president of Big White Bear Jet Co., Ltd, Liang Fuhua, the start-up is backed by CNY800 million (USD129 million) in initial capital.

Using an initial mixed fleet of thirteen MA-60s and about fifteen leased A320s and E190s, Longjiang plans to cover Heilongjiang Province with flights to Daqing, Qiqihar, Mudanjiang, Jixi, Jiamusi, Heihe, Jiagedaqi, Mohe, and Yichun Lindu.

Thereafter, it will expand to cover twenty of China's larger cities including Beijing Capital, Shanghai, Chengdu Shuangliu, Sanya, Kunming Changshui, Hangzhou and Shenzhen. Then, in the longterm, Longjiang Airlines plans to start international flights to the Russian Far East, Korea, Japan and eventually Europe and the United States.

The start-up is currently undergoing certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).