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.[8] In 1997, Shandong Airlines signed a letter of intent to order 3 Saab 2000 aircraft.[9] 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.[10] Shandong Airlines also acquired 2 more Boeing 737-300 aircraft in 1998.[11] 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.[12]

Expansion

During October 2000, Shandong Airlines announced plans to acquire Shanxi Airlines.[13] A week after plans to acquire Shanxi Airlines was announced, it was reported that China Northwest Airlines was close to acquiring Shandong Airlines.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19]

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.[20] 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.[21] 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.[22] In September 2003, it was announced that Shandong Airlines has ordered 10 Comac ARJ21 aircraft (now known as the Comac C909).[23] Shandong Airlines launched its first international route, flying from Jinan to Singapore via Shenzhen.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26] In July 2007, Shandong Airlines placed its fleet of Cessna 208 aircraft for sale.[27] In 2009, Shandong Airlines along with Air China placed a joint order for 3 flight simulators, to be delivered in 2010.[28]

Recent developments

On 21 April 2014, Shandong Airlines committed to order 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, including 16 737NG aircraft and 34 737 MAX aircraft.[29][30]

Codeshare agreements

Shandong Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[38]

• Air China
• Air Macau[39]
• Asiana Airlines
• China Express Airlines
• EVA Air
• Qingdao Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Uni Air

Current fleet

As of August 2025, Shandong Airlines operates the following aircraft:[40][41]

Former fleet