NANNING, Feb. 13-- Flight ERJ-190 left Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Friday, the maiden flight of Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines (BBG Air).

The flight, which departed at 10:50 a.m., was bound for Haikou City, Hainan Province.

Based in Nanning Wuxu International Airport, BBG Air's investors are Tianjin Airlines -- an affiliate of Hainan Airline Group (HNA Group) -- and Guangxi Beibu Gulf Investment Group Co. Ltd. With total registered capital of 3 billion yuan (480 million U.S. dollars), Tianjin Airlines holds a 70 percent share.

The airline is an important move for the HNA Group and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as it plays into the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative and will enhance the region's role in China-ASEAN regional cooperation, said Chen Feng, chairman of the HNA Group.

Chen said the new airline, which will operate domestic flights for the moment, are expected to have a fleet of 10 ERJ-190 aircraft and will open at least two international routes to ASEAN cities from Nanning by the end of 2015.

Bordering Vietnam, Guangxi is a hub for China-ASEAN cooperation.