THE domestic travel website Qunar.com released an official statement yesterday, confirming it will help launch a new Shenzhen-based airline, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.

    Authorities confirmed the airline will be called Shenhui Airlines. Shenhui Airlines registered on Dec. 30 last year, before many domestic airlines announced they would cease selling tickets through Qunar. The airline received up to 600 million yuan (US$91.56 million) of investment from companies that were reportedly founded in December last year.

    Qunar said in the statement, “We will be in charge of direct ticket sales for Shenhui Airlines.”

    According to the statement, Shenhui Airlines will focus on nighttime flights, offering tickets at lower prices. The Shenzhen Airport began operating customs 24 hours each day last year, along with keeping two runways open to air traffic. Shenhui Airlines reportedly plans on taking advantage of the expanded hours.

    An airline industry insider said, “Registration at the industrial and commercial administration is only the first step. It takes a long period of time to launch an airline, which requires an Airworthiness Certificate, purchase of airliners, recruitment and training.”

    The insider added the airline also needs to apply for flight routes. The whole process should take more than a year.

    (Zhang Xiaoyi)