A restructured Air China Group aims to become the top airline in Asia and the world by 2010, its president Li Jiaxiang was quoted by Tuesday's China Daily as saying.

Li told China Daily that his company will co-operate more with domestic and overseas competitors to form a much wider air network.

"Air China intends to be listed abroad when the conditions are right," Li said.

Air China now owns 125 aircraft, 386 air routes and makes over 3,300 regular flights per week.

"Our business has doubled since the reorganization last October, " said Li.

Its routes and those of China Southwest Airlines and China National Airlines are currently being restructured.

Li said the new Air China is also looking for a chance to join a global aviation alliance.

The president said his company is trying to create an attractive flight environment for passengers. He said people flying Air China's international flights will now not only get service with a smile, but French flair from their cabin crew.

Staff have adopted new uniforms in the first half of this year. "This clearly signals to our passengers that our services have been combined," said Li.

French designer Olivier Lapidus beat more than 20 rivals in a public tender to win the right to design the uniform.

Another development for Air China is the trend in the civil aviation industry to separate passengers and cargo.

Air China plans to build the country's largest air freight company with Hong Kong Citic Taifu Company and Beijing Capital Airport Group.

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