China Southern is pushing Beijing to bring the country’s big-three airlines, including itself, under a single state holding company. The proposal is sure to attract opposition from some elements of the government. Chairman Liu Shaoyong also says the government should get moving with a plan to recapitalize the airlines, and he adds that China Southern itself is hoping for 30 billion to 40 billion yuan (US$4.2 billion to $5.6 billion) in new capital.

China, reacting to a foiled terrorist attempt to destroy an aircraft in flight with a gasoline fire, will ban domestic passengers from carrying liquids. The civil aviation administration will also step up security checks at airports, opening more bags for inspection, and it will forbid airlines from operating express security lanes. There will also be tight checks on vehicles entering the secure zones of airports.

Chinese aircraft group Avic 1 is sending 150 engineers to Britain’s Cranfield University to study commercial airframe and engine design. In three groups spread over three years, the engineers will develop a design for a 130-seat airliner — just as an exercise, not to put it into production. Cranfield’s Professor John Fielding chose the aircraft size, so that part of the course doesn’t say anything about specific Chinese ambitions.