China will allow almost no new airlines to take to its overcrowded skies until 2010 at the earliest as part of a policy that is aimed at boosting the local civil aircraft industry and slowing rapid traffic growth that is straining infrastructure and the supply of skilled labor. In the latest of a series of policy statements aimed at restraining aviation, the civil aviation authority says it will also control -- meaning "limit" -- the growth of airlines that are already registered.

Australia is introducing jail terms for shining lasers on aircraft in flight, an increasingly common and dangerous practice that can distract pilots. The government says the incidents are happening two or three times a week in Australia, mainly when aircraft are on approach to land. The Australian and International Pilots Association warns that momentary blinding or distraction of a crew by a laser could result in disaster. It wants controls on importation and sale of the more powerful lasers, which can cost less than US$100.

Two privately owned Chinese airlines are planning to raise capital by selling equity, one of them to foreign strategic investors. Shenzhen Airlines, one of the largest Chinese carriers without direct government shareholdings, plans to raise up to US$200 million through a direct placement of 20% of its shares with investors and then at least US$1 billion in an initial public offering. The Chinese state has an indirect interest in Shenzhen Airlines through a 25% share held by Air China, itself partly government owned.