East Star, the Wuhan-based private airline, was ordered to suspend flights in mid-March because of prolonged financial and management problems. The order was issued by a regional branch of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China. Xinhua reported that East Star had failed to pay plane rental fees to GE Commercial Aviation Services, forcing the US firm to seek help from the local government and start legal action.

East Star started business in May 2006 and operated about 20 domestic passenger routes. It held about 10 per cent of the market share in Wuhan.