China's West Air grows 33% in 2014 as it transitions to the low-cost model

China's West Air is the first example of an airline in China fully to transition to the low-cost model. Other carriers like China United have become LCCs but they have yet to make the transition. West Air charges for meals and lounge access. It has boosted utilisation rates, partially by using earlier slots, and has decreased turn-around times.

Based in Chongqing (where a China Southern unit may also become a LCC), West Air's impetus to adapt the LCC model was that the lower incomes in the west were better suited to a low-cost model. West Air is the fourth-largest LCC in China and sixth largest in Northeast Asia.

The entirely domestic carrier, sporting a new modern logo, is expected to carry over four million passengers in 2014. West Air hopes to maintain growth momentum as it grows its fleet from 16 aircraft in 2014 to 40 within three to five years and later 100 aircraft.