China's domestic travel boom brings rush of new airlines and jet orders

Zhuhai, China

CHINA'S appetite for planes and pilots is building up, whetted by a slew of new airlines launched in the last three years as local governments, private firms and larger carriers fight for a share of the country's fast-growing domestic travel market.

More than 10 Chinese carriers have begun flying since Beijing's aviation regulator relaxed a six-year suspension on new airline licences in 2013. They now operate or have ordered at least 100 jets made by Europe's Airbus Group, US giant Boeing Co and Embraer SA of Brazil.