Shanghai, GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing subsidiary of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), announced delivery of a leased Airbus A320 to Chengdu Airlines to expand the airline’s fleet.

GECAS was one of the first lessors to work with the airline, which started operations as United Eagle Airlines in 2005. Today, GECAS leases nine aircraft to the carrier, which operates domestic passenger service from its base in the capital of the Sichuan Province.

About Chengdu Airlines

IATA
ICAO
Callsign
EU UEA HIBISCUS CITY
Founded 2004 (as United Eagle Airlines – UEAir)
Commenced operations July 2005 with an Airbus A320-200
Main hub Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Destination 50 domestic routes
Official website www.chengduair.cc (in Chinese)
Business model Low Cost Carrier

United Eagle was launched as the first privately-owned carriers in China, in a market monopolized by state-owned airlines. The original owner was Guangzhou IT company, E & Net Communications, later Shanghai's Juneyao Group joined as shareholder to inject additional capital.

In March 2009, Sichuan Airlines invested 200 million RMB (30 million USD) in United Eagle Airlines, increasing their stake to 76% from 20%. But in late 2009, Sichuan Airlines Group reduced its stake in United Eagle by selling shares to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) and Chengdu Communications Investment Group.

On 23rd of January 2010, United Eagle Airlines brand name was changed to Chengdu Airlines, reported at the request Chengdu municipal government with the objective to promote Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China.

Current Fleet of Chengdu Airlines

Aircraft In Service On Order Passengers
C Y Total
Airbus A319-100 2
(+ 1 in storage)		 0 12 108 120
Airbus A320-200 7 0 12 138 150
Comac ARJ21 0 30 to be advised
Total 9 30