China Eastern will build up air services in the Chinese northwestern province Gansu on behalf of the local government, according to a framework agreement signed by the airline and the province. The move extends two current trends in Chinese aviation: airlines’ strengthening of operations in the west of the country, and the setting up or enlargement of services thanks to subsidies from local governments that see commercial air services as an aid to economic growth.

Hainan Airlines subsidiary Lucky Air has set up a base at Chengdu, extending the group’s westward push and challenging Air China, the biggest major operator at the large western Chinese city. Following approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China last month for Lucky Air to establish a branch company in the city, the carrier has begun began flying the short route between the Chengdu Shuangliu and Jiuzhai Huanglong Airports. Jiuzhai is a major tourism destination.

The hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has thrown a harsh light on the fragile nature of internal and cross-border relationships in Southeast Asia, as a lack of coordination hampered both detection of the flightpath and response to its disappearance.