East Star Airlines (in simplified Chinese 东星航空) is an airline owned by private company. In the May 16, 2005, it was approved by the China Civil Aviation Administration for the China East Star Group Co., Ltd., Wuhan East Star International Travel Co., Ltd., Hubei Dongsheng Real Estate Co., Ltd. and Hubei Tourism Investment Co., Ltd. to jointly establish the company. The East Star Airline has a base and headquarters located in Wuhan. Besides, it also has a base in Guangzhou. It shows that the Airlines is of a quite large scale and there are a lot of people regarding this airline as major airlines providing domestic routes in China.

Yes, East Star Airlines mainly engages in domestic routes. However, as the company is gradually developing, in November 6, 2007, it was allowed to open up some non-stop, direct flights from Wuhan to Hong Kong, Macau. Besides, East Star Airlines is undergoing co-operation with China Airlines in Taiwan to allow passengers to fly to Taiwan via Hong Kong route. There is only one flight per day, so usually the seats would be fully booked. Recently, East Star Airlines has been allowed to open up routes in Singapore, Thailand, etc. Therefore, there was no doubt that this company was having a great potential to grow and become the top airline in terms of domestic and regional route providers.

However, in March 15, 2009, East Star Airlines was suspended by the Civil Aviation Authority, to provide flight services in Central South region because, according to some news, the East Star company was running short in capital. Many people believed that the company was trying to develop and expend but the rate was just too rapid and the company could not afford the quick turnover of capital so that it is running short of capital.

Recently, the East Star Airlines is discussing with the China National Aviation Group to see whether there could be introduction of capital to the company. It is expected that the introduction would be successful and soon East Star Airlines would be able to provide flight services again.