Spring Airlines

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China's first low-cost airline, operating domestic and international passenger services from its Shanghai base.

Last updated October 12, 2026

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Overview

Spring Airlines is a Chinese low-cost passenger airline headquartered in Changning, Shanghai. It is the aviation subsidiary of Shanghai Spring International Travel Service and is widely described as China's first low-cost carrier. The airline was approved for establishment on 26 May 2004, received its first aircraft in July 2005, and began commercial operations on 18 July 2005 with a flight from Shanghai to Yantai, alongside the introduction of daily service to Guilin. The brand was built around a low-cost operating model intended to make air travel more affordable and to stimulate demand among price-sensitive travelers. Its distribution strategy emphasized direct sales through the ch.com website and designated ticket offices rather than relying primarily on conventional travel agents. Spring Airlines also reduced the level of services included in the base fare: complimentary onboard meals and water were discontinued, while food and beverages could be purchased separately during flights. This approach separated the price of transportation from optional services and supported the carrier's focus on cost control. Spring Airlines initially concentrated on domestic Chinese routes, but it later became an early Chinese budget airline to pursue international services. Regulatory approval to explore overseas routes was granted in 2009. The first international service linked Shanghai with Ibaraki Airport in Japan on 29 July 2010. The airline subsequently began service between Shanghai and Hong Kong in September 2010 and launched daily Shanghai–Macau flights on 8 April 2011. Its international network expanded toward destinations in East Asia and Southeast Asia, including markets such as Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. The airline's operating identity is closely associated with a simplified service proposition, direct digital distribution and a recognizable visual system. Its logo is based on three overlapping letter S forms, representing interaction, unity and connection. The company also associates the three S forms with the concepts of safety, smile and sincerity. The brand's low-cost positioning does not mean that it operates a different type of scheduled passenger service; rather, it seeks to lower the cost of air travel through fleet, distribution and service choices. Spring Airlines entered the public markets in January 2015 through a listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 601021. It has also operated an airline in Japan, making it the first Chinese airline to do so. The company continues to be identified with short-haul, price-led scheduled passenger transportation in China and neighboring Asian markets. Its public profile is based less on premium differentiation than on accessible fares, direct booking, operational simplification and a recognizable low-cost airline brand.

History

Spring Airlines was established within the business group associated with Shanghai Spring International Travel Service. Approval for the airline's creation was granted on 26 May 2004, marking the formal start of a project designed to bring the low-cost carrier model to China's developing commercial aviation market. The company was founded by Wang Zhenghua and positioned itself as an airline focused on affordable scheduled transportation rather than a full-service network model. The carrier received its first aircraft, an Airbus A320 formerly operated by Lotus Air, at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on 12 July 2005. Commercial operations began six days later, on 18 July, with the first flight connecting Shanghai and Yantai. Daily flights to Guilin were also introduced at the beginning of operations. These early routes established Shanghai as the airline's principal operating base and connected it with both business and tourism destinations in China. Spring Airlines' business model relied on several forms of operational simplification. It sold tickets primarily through its own ch.com website and selected ticket offices, reducing dependence on traditional travel-agent distribution. It also separated the basic transportation fare from certain onboard services. Complimentary meals and water were not included, while passengers could purchase food and beverages during the flight. These policies reflected the carrier's effort to maintain lower costs and offer a price-led alternative to conventional airlines. The airline's aggressive pricing became particularly visible in December 2006, when it promoted a one-yuan fare. The offer generated difficulties with government officials and illustrated the regulatory sensitivity surrounding very low advertised airfares in China's aviation market. Rather than abandoning its low-cost identity, Spring Airlines continued to develop a brand based on affordable tickets, direct sales and optional services. After initially focusing on domestic routes, Spring Airlines began preparing for international expansion. In late July 2009, China's civil aviation authority approved the carrier's plan to explore overseas routes. The airline's proposed markets included nearby destinations in Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. This expansion was significant because it made Spring Airlines one of the first Chinese budget carriers to test international short-haul operations. The first international flight operated on 29 July 2010 between Shanghai and Ibaraki Airport in Japan. On 28 September of the same year, the airline introduced service from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Daily Shanghai–Macau flights followed on 8 April 2011, with additional international destinations planned or introduced later. The airline also operated an airline in Japan, a development that made Spring Airlines the first Chinese airline to do so. Spring Airlines became a publicly traded company in January 2015 when it listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 601021. Public listing added a capital-market dimension to the company while preserving its identity as a low-cost airline. Its brand system uses three overlapping S forms derived from the initials of Spring Airlines. The forms are associated with interaction, unity and connection, and the company also presents them through the ideas of safety, smile and sincerity. Today, Spring Airlines is associated with domestic Chinese and regional Asian passenger services. Its history is defined by the introduction of a low-cost airline model in China, a direct and digitally oriented sales channel, simplified onboard service, expansion into nearby international markets and continued use of a focused, price-conscious operating proposition.

2015
Shanghai Stock Exchange listing
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Spring Airlines became listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in January 2015.
2011
Macau service introduced
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Daily Shanghai–Macau flights began on 8 April 2011.
2010
First international route
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The carrier launched Shanghai–Ibaraki service in Japan on 29 July 2010.
2010
Hong Kong service introduced
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Spring Airlines operated its first Shanghai–Hong Kong flight on 28 September 2010.
2009
Approval for overseas route development
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Spring Airlines received approval to explore international routes.
2006
One-yuan fare promotion
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
A one-yuan promotional fare drew difficulties with government officials and highlighted the regulatory issues surrounding ultra-low pricing.
2005
First aircraft delivered
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The airline received its first Airbus A320 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on 12 July 2005.
2005
Commercial operations begin
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Spring Airlines began operating on 18 July 2005 with a Shanghai–Yantai flight and daily service to Guilin.
2004
Approval to establish the airline
[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Spring Airlines received approval for establishment on 26 May 2004.

Products and positioning

Low-cost scheduled passenger airline focused on affordable fares, direct distribution and simplified onboard service.

Air transport · 2005
Domestic scheduled passenger flights
Spring Airlines' original network centered on scheduled flights between Chinese cities. The service is designed around the low-cost model, with the base fare focused on transportation and selected onboard services handled separately. Shanghai functions as the airline's principal base, while destinations such as Yantai and Guilin formed part of its initial operating network.
Air transport · 2010
International scheduled passenger flights
The airline expanded from domestic flying into short-haul international services after receiving regulatory approval in 2009. Its international development began with Japan and extended to nearby markets including Hong Kong, Macau and other parts of East and Southeast Asia.
Airline ancillary services
Ancillary onboard services
Spring Airlines does not include complimentary meals and water as part of its standard low-cost service proposition. Passengers may purchase food and beverages onboard, allowing the airline to keep the basic ticket product separate from optional consumption.

Controversies

2006One-yuan promotional fare
China
Spring Airlines promoted tickets priced at one yuan in December 2006 as an expression of its low-fare positioning. The promotion created difficulties with government officials and became an early example of the regulatory sensitivity surrounding highly discounted airline fares.
Outcome. The promotion attracted official attention; no further outcome is specified in the reference material.
Source

Brand decisions

2015
Public listingOther
Background
After a decade of operations, Spring Airlines entered the public capital markets.
Action taken
The company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in January 2015 under ticker 601021.
Aftermath
The listing made Spring Airlines a publicly traded Chinese airline while its low-cost positioning remained central to the brand.
Source
2010
Launch of international passenger serviceProduct launch
Background
The carrier had received permission to explore overseas operations and identified Japan as an initial international market.
Action taken
Spring Airlines launched its first international route between Shanghai and Ibaraki Airport on 29 July 2010.
Aftermath
The airline subsequently added Shanghai–Hong Kong and Shanghai–Macau services.
Source
2009
International expansionStrategy
Background
After developing domestic operations, Spring Airlines sought to serve nearby overseas markets.
Action taken
The airline obtained regulatory approval to explore international routes linking mainland China with Hong Kong, Macau and neighboring Asian countries.
Aftermath
The strategy led to the launch of Japan service in 2010 and additional Hong Kong and Macau services.
Source
2005
Launch of low-cost scheduled operationsProduct launch
Background
The company was created to apply a low-cost airline model to China's passenger aviation market.
Action taken
Spring Airlines began commercial flights from Shanghai to Yantai and initiated daily service to Guilin.
Aftermath
The launch established the airline's domestic network and its identity as a Chinese low-cost carrier.
Source

Recent events

2023
Spring Japan receives first Yamato-liveried Airbus A321 freighter[7]Spring Japanen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Other
The first of three planned Airbus A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft, registered JA81YA, was delivered for the Spring Japan and Yamato Transport cargo partnership.
2021
Japan Airlines Group takes control of Spring Japan[7]Spring Japanen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Leadership change
Japan Airlines Group increased its investment to approximately two-thirds of the airline, while Spring Airlines' shareholding was reduced to 30 percent.
2021
Spring Airlines Japan changes its corporate name to Spring Japan[7]Spring Japanen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company adopted the shorter corporate name Spring Japan Co., Ltd. in October 2021.
2015
Spring Airlines lists on the Shanghai Stock Exchange[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company became publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in January 2015.
2014
JTB announces investment and tourism partnership[7]Spring Japanen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Other
JTB announced an investment in Spring Airlines Japan and a partnership to provide Japan tour packages to Chinese customers.
2013
Spring Airlines Japan receives its air operator's certificate[7]Spring Japanen.wikipedia.org
Other
The airline received its Japanese air operator's certificate on 17 December 2013 after filing for certification earlier that year.
2011
Shanghai–Macau daily service launches[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Daily flights between Shanghai and Macau began on 8 April 2011.
2010
First international route launches between Shanghai and Ibaraki[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
Spring Airlines launched its first international route on 29 July 2010 between Shanghai and Ibaraki Airport in Japan.
2010
Shanghai–Hong Kong service begins[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The airline introduced its first Shanghai–Hong Kong flight on 28 September 2010.
2009
Spring Airlines receives approval to explore overseas routes[1]Spring Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Regulation
The airline received approval from China's civil aviation authority to develop international services, becoming an early Chinese budget carrier to pursue overseas routes.

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