AIR CHINA's new branch in Inner Mongolia has recently kicked off operation in the autonomous region's capital city Hohhot, Xinhua reports.

  According to Air China's assistant to general manager Cao Guangfu, the new branch will take Hohhot's Baita International Airport as its base and initially offer services to domestic cities, later to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and finally to foreign countries.

  The new branch has a registered capital of CNY10 billion (US$1.57 billion). Air China holds 80 per cent stake and Inner Mongolia State-owned Assets Operation Company holds 20 per cent.

  The company plans to launch its maiden flight later this year. It will start off by using two Boeing 737-300 and two 737-700. The first lines to be launched are domestic lines to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hangzhou.

  Inner Mongolia has a total of 13 airports, operating 168 domestic lines and nine international lines. By the end of 2015, airports in the region will grow to 20.