Hainan Airlines announced that its low-cost subsidiary, Urumqi Air, will receive 40 C909 regional aircraft, previously known as ARJ21-700. Deliveries are scheduled between 2025 and 2032, subject to shareholder approval.
During the 15th China International Aerospace Exhibition, HNA Aviation Group (Hainan’s parent holding) had announced the signing of an order for 60 C919 and 40 C909 aircraft, although it did not specify which of its airlines would operate them.
Currently, Urumqi Air operates a fleet of 15 Boeing 737-800s. The addition of the C909s will enhance the regional capacity of the Xinjiang-based airline and aligns with China’s initiative to promote the domestic production of aircraft, according to our partner outlet, Aeroin.
The C909 was officially renamed during the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, China’s largest aviation event. This change follows the manufacturer’s existing naming convention, which includes aircraft like the C919 and the future C929. The new name had already been spotted on aircraft at Shanghai-Pudong Airport in mid-October 2024, sparking speculation before the air show.
The ARJ21, which entered service in June 2016, has been widely used by Chinese airlines and is operated internationally by TransNusa of Indonesia. To date, 146 units have been delivered.
Additionally, during the Zhuhai Airshow, COMAC confirmed that Air China will be the launch customer for the much-anticipated C929 widebody aircraft, highlighting the growing collaboration between Chinese airlines and domestic manufacturers to expand aviation in the country.
HNA Aviation Group has become the fourth-largest aviation group in China, covering maintenance, passenger, and cargo transportation. The group controls twelve airlines with a fleet of 619 aircraft:
- Air Chang’an, with thirteen Boeing 737-800s.
- Beijing Capital Airlines, with 33 A320ceo, 18 A321ceo, 16 A319ceo, 7 A320neo, 3 A321neo, 6 A330-200, 5 A330-300, and 2 A330 P2F.
- Fuzhou Airlines, fourteen Boeing 737-800s and two Boeing 737 MAX 8s.
- Grand China Air, three Boeing 737-800s.
- GX Airlines, eleven A320ceo, six A320neo, and twelve E190s.
- Hainan Airlines, 134 Boeing 737-800s, 26 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 10 Boeing 787-8s, 28 Boeing 787-9s, 20 A330-300s, and 8 A330-300s.
- Lucky Air, twenty Boeing 737-800s, ten Boeing 737-700s, five Boeing 737 MAX 8s, seven A320ceo, six A320neo, and four A330-300s.
- Suparna Airlines, ten Boeing 737-800s, three Boeing 747-400 (F), one Boeing 757-200 (F), and one Boeing 747-400 (ERF).
- Tianjin Airlines, 27 A320ceo, 16 A320neo, 2 A321ceo, 4 A330-200s, 2 A330-300s, 38 E190s, and 17 E195s.
- Tianjin Air Cargo, five Boeing 737-800 (BCF), two Boeing 737-400 (F), and one Boeing 737-700 (SF).
- Urumqi Air, 17 Boeing 737-800s.
- West Air, with 26 A320ceo, six A320neo, four A319, four A321ceo, and four A321neo.
