Chengdu Airlines
A Chinese passenger airline headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan, operating scheduled services from Chengdu's principal airports.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Chengdu Airlines is a Chinese scheduled passenger airline headquartered in Shuangliu, Chengdu, Sichuan. Its operating network is centered on Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, with the airline historically focused on domestic passenger services and later serving international markets as well. The carrier operates under the two-letter designator EU and is associated with the Chengdu aviation market and the broader Sichuan Airlines corporate structure. The business began in 2004 under the name United Eagle Airlines, also known as UEAir. Its creation was backed by financing from the Vickers Financial Group, while the founding team included a former executive of China Northwest Airlines. The airline received its first aircraft, an Airbus A320 formerly operated by Air Jamaica, in July 2005. Scheduled service began later that month. A smaller Airbus A319 joined the operation in December 2005, giving the new carrier a narrow-body fleet suitable for domestic trunk and regional routes. Ownership changed significantly in 2009. In March of that year, Sichuan Airlines invested RMB 200 million and acquired a 76 percent shareholding in United Eagle Airlines. Later in 2009, Sichuan Airlines transferred those shares to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, commonly known as Comac, and Chengdu Communications Investment Group. The change linked the airline more closely with China's emerging indigenous commercial-aircraft industry and with Chengdu's local investment infrastructure. United Eagle Airlines subsequently placed an order for 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft, an important early customer commitment for the Chinese regional jet program. The company adopted the name Chengdu Airlines on 23 January 2010. The new identity associated the carrier directly with its home city and with Chengdu's role as an important aviation and economic center in western China. The airline later became an operator of the Comac ARJ21, connecting its commercial identity with the development of China's domestically produced passenger aircraft. Chengdu Airlines' core offering is scheduled air transportation for passengers. Its network has been primarily domestic, although reference material describes service reaching four countries as of April 2026. The airline has also maintained codeshare relationships with China Southern Airlines, Loong Air, and Sichuan Airlines. These arrangements can broaden connectivity beyond Chengdu Airlines' own operating network and place its flights within larger partner distribution systems. The carrier has faced operational scrutiny during its history. On 5 April 2013, flight EU2229, operated as Chengdu Airlines flight 2319 in the cited account, was involved in a serious approach and landing safety incident at Nanning Wuxu International Airport during poor weather. The crew conducted an unauthorized landing without visual reference and contrary to air traffic control advice. China's Civil Aviation Administration Southwestern Regional Administration grounded the three crew members and placed a safety monitoring team with the airline for one month. The incident remains a notable part of the airline's public safety record. Chengdu Airlines is therefore best understood as a regional and domestic Chinese carrier whose development has been shaped by three connected factors: the liberalization and growth of China's airline market, the strategic involvement of Sichuan Airlines and Chengdu-linked investors, and the launch of China's indigenous ARJ21 passenger aircraft. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate listed-company identity, a named current chief executive, or a complete current fleet profile for this dossier.
History
Chengdu Airlines was established in 2004 as United Eagle Airlines, or UEAir. The airline was founded with the participation of a former China Northwest Airlines executive, while funding was provided by the Vickers Financial Group. Its initial operating fleet consisted of Airbus narrow-body aircraft. The first aircraft, an Airbus A320 previously associated with Air Jamaica, was delivered on 8 July 2005, and the carrier began scheduled operations on 27 July. An Airbus A319 entered service on 2 December 2005. The airline's ownership and strategic direction changed in 2009. In March, Sichuan Airlines invested RMB 200 million and took a 76 percent stake. Later that year, those shares were sold to Comac and Chengdu Communications Investment Group. The transaction connected the carrier with both China's developing commercial-aircraft manufacturing sector and Chengdu's municipal investment interests. During this period, the airline ordered 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft, positioning itself as an early operator and customer for the type. On 23 January 2010, United Eagle Airlines was renamed Chengdu Airlines. The new name emphasized the airline's home city and gave it a stronger association with Chengdu's expanding airport system. The carrier subsequently operated scheduled passenger services from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and, as the city's airport infrastructure developed, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. Its network has mainly served Chinese destinations, with reference material also describing international operations reaching four countries as of April 2026. Chengdu Airlines has used codeshare arrangements with China Southern Airlines, Loong Air, and Sichuan Airlines. Such partnerships support network reach and passenger connections while allowing the airline to remain focused on its own scheduled services. The airline is particularly notable in Chinese aviation history because of its relationship with the ARJ21 program and its role as one of the early carriers associated with the aircraft. A major operational event occurred on 5 April 2013. Flight EU2229, identified in the reference account as Chengdu Airlines flight 2319, conducted a landing at Nanning Wuxu International Airport in poor weather without the required visual conditions and against air traffic control advice. The Civil Aviation Administration of China Southwestern Regional Administration responded by grounding all three crew members and assigning a safety team to conduct one month of on-site supervision of the airline. The available reference material confirms Chengdu Airlines as an active Chinese passenger carrier, but it does not provide enough reliable information for this dossier to name current or former senior executives, state a complete current fleet, or identify a separately listed corporate parent. Its documented identity rests on its Chengdu base, scheduled passenger network, relationship with Sichuan Airlines and Chengdu-linked investors, and early role in commercial operation of the Comac ARJ21.
- 2013
Nanning landing safety incident
[1]A crew performs an unauthorized landing in poor weather, leading to crew grounding and regulatory safety supervision.
- 2010
The Chengdu Airlines name is adopted
[1]United Eagle Airlines officially changes its name to Chengdu Airlines on 23 January.
- 2009
Sichuan Airlines acquires a controlling stake
[1]Sichuan Airlines invests RMB 200 million and obtains 76 percent of United Eagle Airlines.
- 2009
ARJ21 order is placed
[1]The airline orders 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft after its ownership transition.
- 2005
Initial Airbus operations begin
[1]An Airbus A320 arrives in July and scheduled service begins later that month; an Airbus A319 enters service in December.
- 2004
United Eagle Airlines is founded
[1]The airline is established under the name United Eagle Airlines, also known as UEAir.
Products and positioning
A Chengdu-based Chinese passenger airline with a domestic network, selected international services, and a distinctive association with the Comac ARJ21 program.
Air transportation · 2005
Scheduled passenger flights
Chengdu Airlines' principal product is scheduled passenger air transportation. The carrier has historically concentrated on domestic Chinese routes from Chengdu, while reference material also identifies international service. Passengers purchase seats through the airline's own network and, where available, through partner distribution and codeshare arrangements.
Regional passenger aircraft service
Comac ARJ21 operations
The Comac ARJ21 is a defining part of Chengdu Airlines' industrial and operating profile. The airline placed an order for 30 aircraft in 2009, becoming an early customer for China's domestically developed regional jet. The aircraft supported the carrier's role in introducing the type into commercial passenger service.
Controversies
2013
Unauthorized landing at Nanning
On 5 April 2013, a Chengdu Airlines service identified as EU2229 was involved in a landing safety incident at Nanning Wuxu International Airport during adverse weather. The crew landed without the required visual reference and contrary to air traffic control advice. The regional civil aviation authority grounded the three crew members and assigned a safety team to supervise the airline on site for one month.
Brand decisions
2010
Rebrand as Chengdu AirlinesStrategyBackground
The airline's ownership transition and growing connection with Chengdu created an opportunity for a more locally identifiable corporate identity.
Action taken
United Eagle Airlines changed its name to Chengdu Airlines on 23 January 2010.
Aftermath
The new brand positioned the carrier explicitly around Chengdu, its home market and operating base.
2009
Accept controlling investment from Sichuan AirlinesM&ABackground
United Eagle Airlines required a stronger ownership and capital base as it developed its network and fleet.
Action taken
Sichuan Airlines invested RMB 200 million and acquired 76 percent of the airline.
Aftermath
The shares were later transferred to Comac and Chengdu Communications Investment Group, creating closer links with aircraft manufacturing and Chengdu investment interests.
Investment amount. RMB 200 million (March 2009)
2009
Order the Comac ARJ21Product launchBackground
China was developing the ARJ21 as an indigenous regional passenger aircraft, and the airline sought to align its fleet development with that program.
Action taken
The carrier ordered 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft.
Aftermath
The order made Chengdu Airlines an early customer associated with the commercial introduction of the ARJ21.
Recent events
- 2009
Sichuan Airlines takes a controlling stake in United Eagle Airlines[1]
M&A
Sichuan Airlines invested RMB 200 million in United Eagle Airlines and acquired 76 percent of the shares, reshaping the carrier's ownership before the later transfer of those shares to Comac and Chengdu Communications Investment Group.
- 2009
United Eagle Airlines orders 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft[1]
Product launch
Following its ownership transition, the airline placed an order for 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft, becoming an early commercial customer for China's domestically developed regional jet.
Sources4 sources
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