Shandong Airlines

Early years

Shandong Airlines commenced operations in 1994 with a single Xi'an Y-7-100 aircraft. In 1995, Shandong Airlines placed an order for 3 Boeing 737-300 aircraft scheduled for delivery in December 1995, January 1996, and August 1996. This would have allowed the airline to operate 60 weekly flights to 10 destinations. In 1997, Shandong Airlines signed a letter of intent to order 3 Saab 2000 aircraft. In September 1997, Shandong Airlines (along with Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Wuhan Airlines, and Zhongyuan Airlines) formed the New Star (Xinxing) Air Alliance, which was to commence operations on 1 January 1998. Shandong Airlines also acquired 2 more Boeing 737-300 aircraft in 1998. In 1999, Shandong Airlines and Bombardier signed a deal for 5 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, becoming the first Chinese airline to operate the type for scheduled revenue services.

Expansion

During October 2000, Shandong Airlines announced plans to acquire Shanxi Airlines. A week after plans to acquire Shanxi Airlines was announced, it was reported that China Northwest Airlines was close to acquiring Shandong Airlines. Later in November, Shandong Airlines placed an order for a single Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and 2 Cessna 208 Caravan 675 aircraft in order to expand market opportunities. In 2001, it was announced that Shandong Airlines was to launch freight services with 2 Boeing 737 freighter aircraft. The airline was also to expand its passenger fleet as well.

At the end of April 2001, Shandong Airlines (along with China Postal Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Wuhan Airlines) formed a partnership known as "China Sky Aviation Enterprises". The partnership would rationalise operations and reduce competition through codesharing. On 9 May 2000, Shandong Airline's deal to acquire Shanxi Airlines fell apart, with Hainan Airlines securing a tentative take-over agreement of Shanxi Airlines. In 2002, it was announced that Shandong Airlines (along with China Southern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines) were to purchase shares in Sichuan Airlines, with Shandong Airlines eyeing an 8% stake.

In September 2002, Shandong Airlines announced an order for 2 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, becoming the first Chinese operator of the type. The order came after the cancellation of an order for 2 additional Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft. In 2003, it was reported that Air China was seeking to acquire a 20% stake in Shandong Airlines, and a 26% stake its parent company, Shandong Aviation Group. The deal was later finalised in March 2004, acquiring a 22.8% stake in the airline, and over 40% stake in the Shandong Aviation Group. In September 2003, it was announced that Shandong Airlines has ordered 10 Comac ARJ21 aircraft (now known as the Comac C909). Shandong Airlines launched its first international route, flying from Jinan to Singapore via Shenzhen. In 2005, Shandong Airlines partnered with Spartan School of Aeronautics to open the Qingdao Jiutian Spartan Flight Academy, with both Shandong Airlines and Spartan acuqiring shares of the flight school. In April 2006, Shandong Airlines' charter subsidiary, Rainbow Jet, announced the sale of its 2 Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft and the end of its business jet charter operations, having failed to turn a profit. In July 2007, Shandong Airlines placed its fleet of Cessna 208 aircraft for sale. In 2009, Shandong Airlines along with Air China placed a joint order for 3 flight simulators, to be delivered in 2010.

Recent developments

On 21 April 2014, Shandong Airlines committed to order 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, including 16 737NG aircraft and 34 737 MAX aircraft.