Tianjin Airlines will launch its first international route with services to Tianjin–Hohhot–Ulan Bator on Oct. 19.
The Hainan Airlines subsidiary was originally launched in June 2007 under the name of Grand China Express Airlines.
The Tianjin-based carrier gained approval from CAAC to shift its operating focus from domestic regional routes to trunk routes and international routes in June 2010. According to a carrier spokesperson, the route was chosen because "Tianjin is a sister city of Ulan Bator.” As of June 30, Tianjin operated a fleet of 72 aircraft comprising Do-328s, ERJ145s and E-190s. It plans to introduce A320 and A330 aircraft in the coming days and expand its fleet to 100 in the next three years.