New Chinese carriers eye international status China hopes its major carriers will someday be as synonymous with air travel as American, British Airways and Singapore Airlines. In the past year, Chinese aviation officials have folded six small, low-earning airlines into the country's three largest carriers to form the Air China Group, China Eastern Air Group and Southern Airlines Group. Authorities want the new companies to compete directly with international carriers by expanding fleets, improving service and shedding their image as cut-rate carriers for travelers on shoestring budgets. "The goal is to form big civil aviation service groups that are competitive in world markets," said Ma Songwei, a spokesman for the aviation administration. The three new airline groups currently fly more than 80% of passengers on China's domestic and international routes, and are the only companies allowed to offer regular overseas service. Analysts say it would be no surprise if the companies become major global players as the Chinese market continues to expand, and both Chicago-based Boeing and Europe's Airbus say they are counting on China's fleet expansions to offset slowing demand elsewhere. USA TODAY/AP The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site: Roj (Roger James) *************************************************** escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: http://www.tntisland.com CBC Website http://www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ The Trinbago Site of the Week: (TnT News) http://www.tntmirror.com/ (TnT News) courtesy of Roj Trinbago Website & TnT Web Directory Roj's Trinbago Website: http://www.tntisland.com TnT Web Directory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************