Latest News:  

English>>Business

Airline boss got off to a flying start (3)

By  Wang Ying in Shanghai  (China Daily)

10:08, June 20, 2013

"We called them maidservant clothes and butlers' clothes because we want to stress their purpose is to serve customers," Zhang added.

Apart from the themed flights, Wang is also considering launching in-flight car sales during Spring Airlines flights.

"I started to dream of selling cars on planes ever since the establishment of Spring Airlines," said Wang, adding that the decision is made based upon their own special conditions.

There is more free time for flight attendants on Spring Airlines because they do not have to serve every passenger with drinks and food during flights. They therefore have time to advertise goods.

According to Wang, 80 percent of the company's more than 10 million passengers per year book tickets online. They tend to be white-collar workers at the stage of buying their first car or home.

"These are the foundations for in-flight car sales," added Wang.

Wang said he has more dreams to realize. "I have always wanted to launch flights between Shanghai and Taipei. The current ticket price between the two cities is even more expensive than the combined ticket price of traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to Shanghai," Wang said.

But, unfortunately for Spring Airlines, the company's application to begin flights to Taiwan has been rejected every year by the Civil Aviation Administration of China for reasons known only to itself.

"We started to apply every year since 2007 but never received approval. Some people suggested it's because our prices are too low. But isn't that our responsibility to let more people afford trips by air?" said a sighing Wang as he wore a confused and helpless expression.

However, another dream may come true for him: taking the company public. Spring Airlines is now lining up for approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to undergo an initial public offering on the Shanghai stock exchange. If successful, Spring Airlines will become the only listed private airline on a China mainland bourse.

It has been years since the budget carrier sought an IPO in the A-share market. In late 2006, Citigroup proposed Spring Airlines' listing, estimating its market capitalization at 8 billion yuan. However, the global economic meltdown in late 2008 and ensuing capital market collapse halted the effort.

"I love to work here very much not only because Spring Airlines is a successful company and has never lost a penny throughout its life, but also because this is a workplace with open-minded people," said Jonathan Hutt, deputy general manager of strategy and international brand director at Spring Airlines, who has worked there for three years.

"People here can really learn stuff in this challenging place. This company is destined to have a great future," he added.


【1】 【2】 【3】



We Recommend:

Fortune Global Forum's guests visits panda

China calls for dialogue after EU solar panel duties

China-South Asia Expo opens in SW China

Huawei launches flagship smartphone Ascend Mate

3D printing gallery opens in Chongqing, SW China

White collars setting up stalls become popular

B787 Dreamliner misses maiden voyage in China

Computex Taipei 2013 exhibition kicks off

12 Asian business women: Intelligent and beautiful

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:WangXin、Zhang Qian)

Related Reading

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Officers and men in live-ammunition drill

  2. Special operation members in training

  3. Kim Jong Un inspects DPRK's air force

  4. A strong mother's bitterness

  5. Only group permitted to carry guns in China

  6. Thousand audition for 'Rich Blind Date'

  7. Worshipping protector of women & children

  8. Fan spends 260,000 yuan on jerseys

  9. House price rises cool down in major cities

  10. Highlights of ATC Show 2013

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Moody's warns on China's local government debt
  2. Political solution the only way out for Syria crisis
  3. GM influx a dilemma for consumers, farmers
  4. China weighs choices on pacific trade pacts
  5. China's effort to restart Mideast peace talks
  6. Cross-Strait hostilities fading away
  7. New points system benefits non-locals' students
  8. China needs to manage forex reserves
  9. China steel price 'to stay low'
  10. FTA will help ease tensions

What’s happening in China

Shocking! Hairy stocking to beat sex harassment

  1. Most students say they masturbate
  2. Red Cross says it won't reinvestigate Guo case
  3. 570,000 orphans, most outside govt welfare
  4. Air quality in China's major cities drops in May
  5. China braces for natural disaster season