U-FLY Alliance

U-FLY Alliance
Launch date 18 January 2016
Full members 4
Destination airports 85
Destination countries 9
Annual passengers (M) 17.1
Fleet size 67
Management Andrew Cowen, CEO
Alliance slogan U fly the world
Headquarters Hong Kong
Website uflyalliance.com

The U-FLY Alliance is the world's first alliance of low-cost carriers, formed in January 2016 between founding members HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air, and West Air.[1] All four airlines are affiliated with the HNA Group, with a focus on Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia, but they are currently seeking new members which are not affiliated with HNA Group.[2]

History

The alliance was formed for various reasons. Since China’s provinces vary in what they allow and don’t allow for airlines it is difficult for two or more airlines to merge who are from different regions. So a way was found to get around the obstacle and an alliance was used to help smaller airlines grow larger without becoming one company in different many provinces. Another motivator for creating an alliance instead of merging is that the regions preferred to have a local airline with name that can advocate for the area that it is in.[3]

U-FLY Alliance was announced on 18 January 2016 at a press conference in Hong Kong. The founding members are all part of HNA Group, a Chinese conglomerate. However, the alliance bears no outward affiliation with the group, and it is open to airlines outside of it.[3]

By 2020, the alliance hopes to have a fleet of over 218 aircraft.[3] Of the 218 aircraft Lucky Air hopes to grow to 60 aircraft, West Air to 60, HK Express to 50, and Urumqi Air to 48.[3]

Member airlines

Member Joined
HK Express 18 January 2016
Lucky Air 18 January 2016
Urumqi Air 18 January 2016
West Air 18 January 2016

References

  1. "About Us: U-FLY Alliance". U-FLY Alliance.
  2. "Press Release: HK Express Launch of U-FLY Alliance" (PDF). U-FLY Alliance. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "HNA Group: four airlines form U-FLY Alliance, world's first LCC grouping, showing HNA consolidation". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.

External links

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