The agreement to form Kunpeng Airlines was signed in December 2006, with service beginning in October 2007.

The airline began flying Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft leased from Mesa Air Group.

Kunpeng was operating at a financial loss, and it was hoped that the move would bring the airline into profitability.

[4] In August 2008, Mesa Air Group stated that it intended to sell all of its shares in Kunpeng to its partner Shenzhen Airlines.

[5] In June 2009, Mesa Air Group sold its financial stake in Kunpeng Airlines and all its leased CRJ 200s were returned to the US.