Spring Airlines
Low-cost airline of China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spring Airlines[a] is a low-cost airline headquartered in Changning, Shanghai, China.[3][4]
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| Founded | 26 May 2004 | ||||||
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Operating bases | |||||||
| Spring Pass | |||||||
| Subsidiaries | Spring Japan (30%) | ||||||
| Fleet size | 140[1] | ||||||
| Destinations | 103[2] | ||||||
| Parent company | Spring Airlines Ltd. | ||||||
| Traded as | SSE: 601021 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Changning, Shanghai, China | ||||||
| Key people | Zhang Xiuzhi (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
History
The airline was given approval to be established on 26 May 2004. Its first aircraft, an Airbus A320 (formerly Lotus Air's), was delivered on 12 July 2005, at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Spring Airlines started operations on 18 July 2005 and the first flight on that day was between Shanghai and Yantai. Daily flights to Guilin were also initiated.
To keep operating costs low, Spring sells tickets exclusively from its ch.com website (and some designated ticket offices), bypassing travel agents. Spring no longer offers complimentary on-board meals nor complimentary water; however, passengers may purchase meals and beverages on board. In December 2006, the airline offered a 1-yuan promotional price which caused trouble with government officials.[5]
In late July 2009, Spring's plan to establish overseas routes was granted by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of the People's Republic of China, making it the first budget airline in China to explore the international market. The airline had plans to operate short-distance routes linking mainland Chinese cities to Hong Kong and Macau, as well as neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.
On July 29, 2010, Spring Airlines launched its first international route linking its home city Shanghai and Japan's Ibaraki Airport, about 80 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.[citation needed] 2 months later, on September 28, the airline successfully introduced its first flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong with almost full passengers on board.[citation needed] Spring's daily flights from Shanghai to Macau commenced on 8 April 2011[6] with further international destinations following in the second half of 2011.
Since January 2015, the company has been listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Spring Airlines operated an airline in Japan and is the first Chinese airline to do so.[7]
Corporate affairs and identity
Branding and livery
The Spring Airlines logo is designed with the initials "S" of Spring Airlines. It is composed of three overlapping and intersecting S's, which represents interaction, unity, and connection.
Spring Airlines' 3S logo stands for Safety, Smile, and Sincerity.
Spring Airlines' signature move of flying whenever you want is sliding the right palm toward the top of the left shoulder, symbolizing the ideal soaring into the sky.[8]
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Destinations
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As of April 2026, Spring Airlines serves destinations in East Asia and South East Asia.[9]
Codeshare agreements
Spring Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:
Fleet
As of May 2026[update], Spring Airlines operates an all-Airbus A320 family fleet composed of the following aircraft:[11]
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| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 75 | — | 174 | |
| 180 | ||||
| 186 | ||||
| Airbus A320neo | 48 | 32 | 186 | [12] |
| Airbus A321neo | 12 | 10 | 240 | [12] |
| Total | 135 | 42 | ||
On 29 December 2025, Spring Airlines agreed to buy 30 A320neo aircraft; the jets are expected to be delivered in 2028–2032.[13][12]
