The airline was established in 2004 as United Eagle Airlines (, also known as UEAir). Scheduled revenue flights were launched when the first aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, was delivered in July 2005. In March 2009, Sichuan Airlines invested 200 million RMB (30 million USD) in United Eagle Airlines, thus holding 76 percent of the shares. In late 2009, these shares were sold to Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC and to Chengdu Communications Investment Group. Following this ownership change, United Eagle Airlines placed a firm order for 30 COMAC ARJ21s, with the first one to be delivered in late 2010. On January 23, 2010, the airline was renamed Chengdu Airlines.