Ghim-Lay Yeo, Singapore (08Dec10, 07:35 GMT, 129 words)
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has given its go-ahead for a general aviation company based in Yunnan to begin commercial flights.
Yunnan Yingan Airlines will operate Xian Aircraft MA60s on regional routes and will be based at Yunnan's Simao airport, says the CAAC.
It did not say when the carrier will begin flights or where it will operate to.
Yunnan Yingan was registered as a general aviation services company, but will have its status changed to that of a commercial carrier.
It has a registered capital of 80.7 million yuan ($12.1 million), and is majority owned by a Guangzhou-based company called Guangdong Yingan Transportation Services, says the CAAC.
The airline has hired 14 pilots and plans to hire maintenance and management staff, it adds.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news