LI KUN started his first day as Shenzhen Airlines' new general manager yesterday.

After 65 percent of the airline company's shares were sold to a private company in May, its former general manager Dong Lijia was removed. It was not until recently that a new general manager was appointed by the board.

Li, 45, worked for China Southern Airlines for 27 years and was its executive vice general manager before taking the helm of Shenzhen Airlines.

At Monday's inauguration of his new office, Li said he would give priority to the operational safety of the airlines. He also set goals for his company to attain: increasing the number of aircraft to between 70 and 80 within three years; 100 six years later and 160 in nine years, with a total staff of 16,000. He said with the three goals achieved, Shenzhen Airlines would be an internationally well-known brand.

Editor: Yan