Chongqing Airlines has signed a RMB1.2 billion lease agreement for three Airbus A319 aircraft.

According to local media, the company will open a new non-stop route from Chongqing to Yunnan's Shangri-la region soon. Founded in June 18, 2007, Chongqing Airlines currently owns three Airbus aircraft with another two coming, respectively, by the end of this year and next year.

These new aircraft will immediately be launched for the new routes but those three leased A319 aircraft will be delivered in 2009. Tang Bing, president of Chongqing Airlines, disclosed that the company plans to open flights from Chongqing to such areas as Ningbo, Xiamen, Kunming, Lhasa, Jiuzhaigou, and Linzhi in the near future.