http://www.travelbiz.com.au/articles/1e/0c019d1e.asp =20 Airline health will improve with mergers =20 Airline mergers are needed if the aviation industry's health is to improve, according to Boeing's global sales head, Toby Bright. While Bright would not comment directly on the proposed Qantas-Air New Zealand alliance, he said some industry consolidation was necessary. "In general we believe worldwide the airline industry needs to consolidate and we believe that liberalisation of the travel rights and rules around ownership will only help the industry," he said. Boeing is in negotiations with Qantas to add more B737's to the airline's fleet.=20 The pair are also discussing Qantas buying the new B7E7 aircraft. Bright said the airline industry was starting to get back on track following September 11 and the SARS epidemic. He said Asia remained the key growth area for Boeing, with many Asian carriers coming back to the negotiation table after putting orders on hold because of SARS. "The conversations are starting again," he said. "Whether or not that will lead to additional orders in this calendar year remains to be seen, but I still think it's a good sign."