The U-FLY Alliance, an airline network of independent low cost carriers (LCCs), launched in Hong Kong on Monday. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

A new airline alliance of independent low cost carriers (LCCs), the U-FLY Alliance, launched in Hong Kong on Monday. By linking networks and combining alliance members’ product offerings,, the new airline network offers low-fare flights between 85 cities and 168 city pair destinations across Asia.

The U-FLY Alliance comprises four LCCs: HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air and West Air. Travelers can obtain the latest news about the alliance and up-to-date route information at www.uflyalliance.com.

"With the launch of the first LCC alliance in the world, we are entering into a new era of travel that speaks to what travelers really want: flexible and affordable routes that are also safe and secure," said Ma Zhimin, U-FLY Alliance’s board chairman.

Ma said the alliance concentrates on the market in North Asia and will expand to other parts of the world, step by step. The alliance is also recruiting more members to increase its network.

Ding Yongzheng, president of Lucky Air, said his airline plans to open more routes to Southeast Asia as the number of outbound Chinese travelers is increasing robustly and Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are hot destinations.

The alliance has 67 carrier aircraft and 168 routes, with a target of 200 aircraft by the end of 2020.