Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • November 2008
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

HNA Group: Moving China's Air Transport Industry in a New Direction

By: William C. Kirby, F. Warren McFarlan and Tracy Manty
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:28
ShareBar

Abstract

HNA Group, the parent company of Hainan Airlines, was positioning itself to go global and make a mark for itself as the largest private airline in China. Positioned squarely behind the "Big Three" state-owned carriers, Hainan Airlines sought to create a world-class business. Following modern management practices, keeping sharp attention to cost control and capital operations, making aggressive entries into international markets, and maintaining a special corporate culture, Chairman Chen Feng was confident these factors were the engine that would drive HNA's continued growth.

Keywords

Global Strategy; Management Practices and Processes; Private Ownership; Competitive Advantage; Air Transportation Industry; China

Citation

Kirby, William C., F. Warren McFarlan, and Tracy Manty. "HNA Group: Moving China's Air Transport Industry in a New Direction." Harvard Business School Case 309-029, November 2008.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Authors

William C. Kirby

General Management
→More Publications

F. Warren McFarlan

→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • August 2025
    • Faculty Research

    BYD- China's EV Giant Drives West

    By: William C. Kirby and Daniel Fu
    • June 1, 2025
    • Boston Globe

    How Universities Die: It Has Happened Before in Centers of Learning Such as Berlin and Beijing. Is Boston Next?

    By: William C. Kirby
    • 2025
    • Faculty Research

    Marjorie Yang Mun Tak 楊梅德:Entrepreneur and Innovator

    By: William C. Kirby
More from the Authors
  • BYD- China's EV Giant Drives West By: William C. Kirby and Daniel Fu
  • How Universities Die: It Has Happened Before in Centers of Learning Such as Berlin and Beijing. Is Boston Next? By: William C. Kirby
  • Marjorie Yang Mun Tak 楊梅德:Entrepreneur and Innovator By: William C. Kirby
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College.