Air China’s business jet subsidiary Beijing Airlines launched

Passengers taking Air China flights will also get an opportunity to fly business class on its newly-launched business jet subsidiary Beijing Airlines.

The airline in a statement said that it launched Beijing Airlines after completion of a one-year trial operation to bolster its position in the fast-growing domestic business aviation market.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China gave its approval and provided operating certificate to Air China’s new venture in April 2011. After receiving the operating certificate, Beijing Airlines’ trial operations started in July 2011 with a capital of $157.4 million (1 billion Yuan).

Air China holds a 51 percent stake on Beijing Airlines. The other shareholders include Beijing Enterprises Group Co. and Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co. (each holding an 18 percent stake), and Zhongda Yinrui Investment Co. holding a 13 percent stake in the new airline.

Beijing Airlines currently has 11 business jets in its fleet. The airline is likely to face stiff competition from Capital Airlines, the Beijing-based business jet subsidiary of Hainan Airlines.