(Yicai Global) Nov. 15 -- Hainan Airlines Holding, which passed out of the control of bankrupt Chinese conglomerate HNA Group almost a year ago, has appointed its third new chairman of 2022.

Ding Yongzheng, who is also the president of HNA Airlines Group, will replace Cheng Yong as at the helm of Hainan Airlines Holding, the Haikou-based carrier announced late yesterday. Wu Feng will be the new vice chairman.

Cheng was named chairman in June to replace Wang Yiming, whose tenure lasted only three months. Wang was appointed after Liu Lu resigned in January.

Hainan Airlines did not explain the reason for the latest change, but media reports said China Southern Airlines last month issued an internal disciplinary notice against Cheng, who retired as deputy general manager of the Shanghai-based airline after less than three years, as it was unhappy he had joined a rival. China Southern also scaled back Cheng’s retirement package.

Last December, Fangda Group Industrial invested CNY41 billion (USD5.8 billion) for a controlling stake in all airlines owned by debt-ridden HNA. HNA Airlines controls part of other carriers acquired by Fangda, such as Capital Airlines and Tianjin Airlines, while Hainan Airlines controls others such as Hainan Airlines and Xinhua Airlines.

Hainan Airlines Holding’s net loss widened sixfold to CNY20.8 billion in the first three quarters from a year earlier, mainly because of the resurgence of Covid-19, rising fuel prices, and a weaker Chinese yuan versus the US dollar, the firm said in its latest earnings report. Revenue tumbled 31 percent to CNY18.7 billion.

Shares of Hainan Airlines [SHA: 600221] ended 1.9 percent higher at CNY1.60 (23 US cents) each today. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.6 percent.

Editor: Futura Costaglione