Qingdao Airlines launches inaugural operations, establishing itself as a 'boutique airline'

Qingdao Airlines launched (26-Apr-2014) inaugural operations on 26-Apr-2014, transporting 150 passengers on daily Qingdao-Chengdu service operate with A320 aircraft, according to the carrier's Webo page - see Route Changes Table for more information. The carrier will expand its fleet to five aircraft within the year and further expand to 50 aircraft by 2020 and 100 aircraft by 2025. Qingdao Airlines president Song Zuowen said the carrier will build itself into a "boutique airline" in terms of planning, branding, personnel training, management standards and product design. He said: "Boutique airlines does not mean we offer services to premium passengers only, but it means a higher quality we are pursuing." The carrier will launch services to Chengdu, Shenzhen, Changsha, Shenyang initially and eventually apply for rights to operate to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as establishing overnight bases at Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xiamen.