U-FLY Alliance was a regional airline alliance based in Hong Kong. Established in January 2016, it brought together low-cost carriers from mainland China, Hong Kong and South Korea.[1]https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/alliances/u-fly-alliancecentreforaviation.comOpen source details
It was promoted as the world's first alliance created specifically for low-cost airlines. The alliance became inactive and was considered disbanded by 2024.[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-FLY_Allianceen.wikipedia.orgOpen source details
History
U-FLY Alliance was announced at a press conference in Hong Kong on 18 January 2016.[3]https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-fly-alliance/linkedin.comOpen source details
Its four founding members were:
HK Express
Lucky Air
Urumqi Air
West Air
The founding airlines were associated with the HNA Group when the alliance was established. However, U-FLY Alliance was presented as an independent organisation and was open to airlines outside the group.[1]https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/alliances/u-fly-alliancecentreforaviation.comOpen source details
The alliance was created to help smaller low-cost airlines coordinate their networks without merging into a single company. This was particularly relevant in mainland China, where airlines based in different regions operated under different local requirements.
Members planned to cooperate in areas including:
Connecting itineraries
Network planning
Airport transfers
Passenger services
Marketing
Operational purchasing
South Korean low-cost carrier Eastar Jet joined on 27 July 2016, becoming the first member based outside China and Hong Kong.[4]https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/alliances/u-fly-alliancecentreforaviation.comOpen source details
By 2017, the member airlines collectively operated approximately 129 aircraft and served 149 airports across 18 countries. Their combined network included 339 city pairs and approximately 44 million seats.[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-FLY_Allianceen.wikipedia.orgOpen source details
Former members
| Country or territory | Airline | Membership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 South Korea | Eastar Jet | 2016–unknown | First member based outside China and Hong Kong |
 China | Lucky Air | 2016–2024 | Founding member |
| China | Urumqi Air | 2016–2024 | Founding member |
| China | West Air | 2016–2024 | Founding member |
 Hong Kong | HK Express | 2016–2019 | Founding member; withdrew after its acquisition by Cathay Pacific |
HK Express withdrawal
Cathay Pacific completed its acquisition of HK Express in July 2019, making it a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group.[5]https://news.cathaypacific.com/cathay-pacific-completes-acquisition-of-hk-expressnews.cathaypacific.comOpen source details
HK Express subsequently withdrew from U-FLY Alliance. It continued operating as a separate low-cost airline under Cathay Pacific ownership.
The withdrawal removed the alliance's original Hong Kong-based member and one of the principal airlines involved in its establishment.
Disbandment
U-FLY Alliance became inactive after the departure of HK Express and wider financial difficulties affecting airlines associated with the HNA Group.
No formal expansion or significant alliance activity was announced during its later years. The alliance was considered disbanded by 2024.[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-FLY_Allianceen.wikipedia.orgOpen source details
See also
Value Alliance
HK Express
Lucky Air
Urumqi Air
West Air
Eastar Jet
Airline alliance