Fuzhou Airlines, the first to be based in Fuzhou city, capital of Fujian province, is slated to go into operation sometime in the second half of October, according to insiders.

The airline is currently waiting for the approval of a business license for public aviation transportation enterprises by the East China branch of the Civil Aviation Administration of Aviation (CAAC), which is expected to take more than 10 days, a spokesman for the airline told a press conference on Sept 26.

“Getting approvals for establishing the company and getting a business license are step one and two, respectively,” he said.

The plan to establish Fuzhou Airlines was approved by CAAC in February. The International Air Transport Association has issued a two-letter code FU and a three-unit code 666 for the airline.

According to earlier media reports, the company’s air fleet will initially be made up of five Boeing 737-800 jets. Three of them will be delivered as part of an investment by Hainan Airlines, while the other two are to be leased from Hainan Airlines as well.

The first Boeing737-800 will be delivered by Hainan Airlines to Fuzhou Airport in Changle county on Oct 11, the spokesman said.

The airline is working on details of nearly 20 flight routes. About half of them have been decided; and the rest will be done by Oct 20, he added.

The destination of the airline’s maiden flight remains a secret.

Tickets sales will kick off as early as Oct 14.

Fuzhou Airlines has been jointly set up by Hainan Airlines, Fuzhou State Asset Investment Holding Co Ltd, Century Golden Resources Group and Ningbo Ruitong Network Technology.