Low-cost airline AirAsia has signed a joint agreement with China to found a budget carrier based in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou.
AirAsia (China) will be a joint venture between AirAsia, Everbright Group, and Henan Government Working Group, according to a statement made by the airline.
“This Chinese venture represents the final piece of the AirAsia puzzle,” said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes. “In just 16 years, we have successfully built a presence in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Japan, with China closing the loop on all major territories in Asia Pacific.”
While few details of the LLC were revealed, according to the statement, AirAsia (China) plans to invest in aviation infrastructure, including a dedicated terminal at the Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport and an aviation academy to train pilots, cabin crew and engineers, as well as develop maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities to service aircraft.
Both AirAsia and its sister airline AirAsia X fly to 15 destinations in China. It is the largest foreign LCC operating in the country.
