(Yicai) June 3 -- Hainan Fangda Aviation Development, the parent company of HNA Aviation Group, opened its international headquarters in Chongqing last month as part of China’s plans to develop a global aviation hub in the southwestern municipality.

Liaoning Fangda Group Industrial, a major shareholder of Hainan Fangda, linked arms with the Chongqing government on May 31 to build a world-class airport cluster, Yicai learned.

The two parties will build a global HQ and operate two airlines for passengers and cargo. They will also introduce three airport projects, expand four aviation-related industries and establish an integrated logistics company.

Chongqing is a major hub for HNA Aviation, whose 11 airlines carried over 22 percent of the city’s air passengers in May. Its carrier West Air accounted for 10.5 percent of all Chongqing’s flights that month, ranking third.

And the Hainan-based firm’s airlines fly to eight overseas cities, namely Rome, Madrid, London, Paris, Sydney, Milan, Seattle and Hanoi, from Chongqing.

HNA Aviation will increase its investment in Chongqing over the next five years or longer, said Chairman Ding Yongzheng. The company aims to put about 60 aircraft into operation, with 40 flying overnight routes, in the municipality by the end of 2028, Ding said.

HNA Aviation will improve its intercontinental flight network and provide short-haul routes linking the capitals and big cities of countries in the world’s largest trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, he added.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China released a plan in 2022 to create a world-class airport cluster in western China based in the cities of Chengdu in Sichuan province and Chongqing.

Air China, one of China’s three state-owned airlines, said last month that it plans to more than double the number of domestic destinations from Chongqing to 62. And China Eastern Airlines opened its Chongqing operation base in May.

Editor: Kim Taylor