China's air travel market is still dominated by the big three state-owned carriers - Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Pictured is a China Eastern A340-300.

Airlines in China do not have control over how many aircraft they add to their fleets, as this has to be approved by the state-run National Development and Reform Commission. For example, Spring Airlines wanted to buy 20 A320s, but was only allowed ten.

Unlike most low-cost carriers around the globe, Juneyao Airlines has configured its aircraft, such as this A320, with a two-class cabin. It offers an economy and business class service, as it is trying to capitalise on being based in Shanghai - China's economic powerhouse.

East Star Air was one of the earliest low-cost carriers in China. It started operations in June 2005 and currently has a fleet of three A320s and two A319s (pictured).

Air travel is booming in China to such an extent that Air China recorded an impressive 86.7% increase in profits - CNY 3.19 billion (£212 million) in 2006 compared to the previous year. Pictured is one of the carrier’s Boeing 747-400s.

New Boeing 737-8GQ B-5366 (c/n 35793, ex N1787B) departs Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, on November 28, 2007 on delivery to Tianjin-based Okay Airways, China's first private airline. The 737, on lease from AWAS, is the first new aircraft in Okay's fleet, which now comprises seven 737s, and is the first new aircraft delivered to Dublin, Ireland-based AWAS in four years. The aircraft is one of three being leased from AWAS on 12-year terms, with the remaining two due in late 2008.
Okay Airways was the first low-cost carrier in China and started services in March 2005. Pictured is one of the airline's four Boeing 737-800s, which it operates alongside a 737-500 and three 737-300s. Unusually for a low-cost carrier, it has started dedicated cargo services using the aforementioned 737-300s.