A China Southern Airlines (CSA) plane bearing its logo, a kapok, landed at Changchun Longjia International Airport on Dec 10. The plane was an A321 Airbus model recently introduced to CSA's Jilin branch. To date, the branch has a total of 20 planes, consisting of eight A321s, seven A320s and five A319s, and it has evolved into a big airline base in Jilin.

The 20th plane introduced by China Southern Airlines. [Photo by Liang Minghe]

The new plane can hold 178 passengers (12 first-class seats, 23 premium economy-class seats and 143 economy-class seats). It features a spacious passenger cabin, advanced stereo, video and communication facilities, and is one of the most popular airliners for short and medium haul travel.

The Jilin branch has introduced six A320 planes since 2013. It relies on CAS's airline network and builds a bridge for Jilin to expand economic and trade exchanges, enhance communications and realize coordinated regional development. At present, CAS has more than 30 planes based in Jilin, and has opened more than 40 domestic air routes, as well as more than ten international routes.

The new plane went into operation on Dec 11 after a series of special checks and will have two flights every day. It takes off from Changchun at 16:55, stops over at Chongqing and arrives at Kunming at 23:55. Another flight starts at 7:55. It will take advantage of Chongqing's role as a transportation hub and make things easier for Jilin residents to travel.

Edited by Brian Salter