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Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. is China’s first and North Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, headquartered in Changning, Shanghai, China. Founded in 2005 by Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, the airline has grown to become a dominant player in the budget aviation sector, offering affordable fares to over 200 destinations across China and Asia. With a modern fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft, a focus on safety, and innovative direct-to-consumer sales strategies, Spring Airlines provides cost-effective, reliable, and personalized travel experiences. Despite its success, the airline has faced criticism for customer service issues, strict baggage policies, and operational challenges, but it continues to expand its network and enhance its services.
Spring Airlines traces its origins to 1981, when Wang Zhenghua founded Shanghai Spring International Travel Service, a travel agency that disrupted China’s state-dominated travel sector with innovative “scatter-group tours.” Recognizing the growing demand for affordable air travel in the late 1990s, Wang, inspired by Southwest Airlines’ low-cost model, established Spring Airlines on May 26, 2004. The airline received its first Airbus A320, formerly of Lotus Air, on July 12, 2005, and launched operations on July 18, 2005, with its inaugural flight from Shanghai to Yantai, followed by daily services to Guilin.
Spring Airlines achieved profitability by 2006, capitalizing on China’s expanding middle class and demand for budget travel. In December 2006, a controversial 1-yuan promotional fare drew scrutiny from government officials but highlighted the airline’s bold pricing strategy. By July 2009, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approved Spring’s plans to operate international routes, making it the first Chinese low-cost carrier to expand abroad. On July 29, 2010, Spring launched its first international route from Shanghai Pudong to Japan’s Ibaraki Airport, marking a historic milestone for Chinese private airlines.
In January 2015, Spring Airlines listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, raising capital to support fleet expansion. By 2018, the airline established its Hebei branch, its first regional subsidiary, and opened Terminal 1 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport with fully automated self-service facilities for check-in, baggage drop, security, and boarding. In 2023, Spring Airlines celebrated 3 million hours of safe flight, earning the CAAC’s “Three-Star Flight Safety Award.” As of 2025, the airline continues to grow, operating over 180 domestic and 41 international routes, with a focus on underserved secondary cities and key Asian markets.
Spring Airlines operates a standardized fleet of 132 Airbus A320-family aircraft, including A320-200, A320neo, and A321neo models, with an average age of 4.8 years as of 2024. The fleet’s uniformity reduces maintenance costs, simplifies crew training, and maximizes operational efficiency, allowing Spring to offer fares 30% lower than competitors on average. The A320neo and A321neo aircraft feature fuel-efficient engines, contributing to lower CO2 emissions and aligning with the airline’s commitment to environmentally friendly travel. All aircraft are configured with a single Economy Class cabin, with optional extra-legroom seating available for purchase.
Spring Airlines Japan, a subsidiary established in 2012 and majority-owned by Japan Airlines since 2021, operates nine Boeing 737-800s and Airbus A321s, serving routes between China and Japan. In 2024, Spring Japan began operating Airbus A321P2F freighters for Yamato Transport, prompted by Japan’s restrictions on truck drivers’ overtime. The fleet is decorated in a white-and-green livery with a yellow logo on the tail, evolving through three generations, with the latest introduced in 2021.