China United Airlines received an operating certificate from the national civil aviation authority yesterday and will soon resume services within China, Xinhua News Agency reported today.

They were ceased in 2003 when the 41 planes that it had been using, which previously belonged to the military, were taken back on the order of central government.

Based at Beijing's Nanyuan Airport, the carrier mainly dealt with domestic cargo and passenger transportation. Its predecessor, set up in 1986, had a military background.

China United Airlines will introduce three aircraft this year and another three next year, aiming to start with routes between Beijing and Wuxi, Dalian, Harbin and Chengdu.

The firm is a joint venture of Shanghai Airlines and China Import and Export Aviation, with registered capital totaling 100 million yuan (US$12.5 million).

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2005)