© CAPA
Beijing (XFN-ASIA) - Private carrier East Star Airlines, which
started operations in May 2006, has been granted a license by the General Administration
of Civil Aviation (CAAC) to operate international flights, China Business News
reported, citing a company source.
East Star, based in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province, will be China's first privately-owned air carrier to undertake international operations, the newspaper said.
The airline plans to make its first international flight in September, with initial routes to Hong Kong and Macau.
The carrier signed an agreement with Airbus and GE Commercial Aviation Services in November to lease or purchase 20 A310 and A320 aircraft over five years.