Summary
- Air Guilin has ceased all flight operations resulting from the continuing conflict between Hainan Airlines Group and the Guilin Government over control.
- HNA Group has stopped providing support services to Air Guilin, including maintenance and operational control systems.
- The dispute over ownership between Guilin City Government and HNA Group has led to the suspension of Air Guilin’s flights, with no resolution in sight.
Because the conflict between Hainan Airlines Group (HNA Group) and the Guilin Government over the control of Air Guilin continues, Air Guilin ceased all flight operations on November third.
Based on a message circulating on the web since November 1st, HNA Group has recently sent a letter to Air Guilin and the CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration (one in every of the seven CAAC regional offices), stating that they may stop providing support services to Air Guilin ranging from November 2nd. This includes key services corresponding to HNA Group’s maintenance management system and operational control system.
Photo: Air Guilin
The message also suggests that if HNA Group indeed stops providing operational support to Air Guilin on November 2nd, there’s a high likelihood that Air Guilin could have to suspend its flights.
On the afternoon of November third, Chinese media Shangyou News contacted the controlling entity of Air Guilin – the Guilin City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. A staff member responded, Nevertheless, the staff member on duty further said,
The confusing ownership issue of Air Guilin
In October last 12 months, Easy Flying extensively reported on the incident where HNA Group ordered Air Guilin to stop its salary reduction plan.
At the moment, HNA Group claimed that they learned of Air Guilin’s salary reduction plan through social media. Within the official letter, it was identified that Air Guilin’s decision to chop salaries had not been communicated prematurely to HNA Group in any form. Such a policy had already affected worker stability and had a negative impact on aviation safety.
Photo: Air Guilin
Shortly after the court’s ruling in October 2021, in January 2022, Guilin Transportation Investment Holding Group established an interim Communist Party committee at Air Guilin. This committee took full control of personnel appointments and financial records. Additionally they directed Air Guilin to not take part in any meetings organized by HNA Group. Alternatively, the technical operations of Air Guilin were still managed by HNA Group. HNA Group continues to be answerable for maintenance management, spares support, and flight operations management, including pilot management on the airline.
Since that point, over the course of nearly two years, the dispute between the Guilin City Government and the restructured HNA Group regarding the ownership of Air Guilin has continued, ultimately resulting in HNA Group discontinuing technical services. Because of this, Air Guilin needed to suspend its flights indefinitely ranging from November third.
How do you think that this farce will eventually come to an end? Please share your thoughts with Easy Flying.