China Southern takes over Zhongyuan Airlines

The first move in the consolidation of China's airlines has come from the Southern Airlines Group, the parent organisation of China Southern Airlines.

It will take operational and managerial control of Zhongyuan Airlines. The merger has been approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the government of Henan Province.

After the merger, the combined group will command 60 percent of the transportation market at Zhengzhou Airport.

Zhengzhou Airport currently handles flights from 40 destinations throughout China and more than 23,000 flights annually