American Airlines forecasts growth

American Airlines, which filed for bankrupt protection last November, is forecasting double-digit revenue growth for its China routes in 2012 compared with 2011, the airline's Asia-Pacific Vice-President Erwan Perhirin said.

"The target is above 20 percent," said Perhirin.

The carrier is working on a restructuring that has yet to be finalized in China, he added.

"We anticipate a more limited impact from restructuring activities in China," Perhirin said.

American Airlines will increase its service between China and the US because China's aviation market is rising fast, he added.

The carrier currently operates three routes between China and the US.

According to the 12th five-year aviation plan released by Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2011, there will be 450 million person-trips in China by 2015 and China will be the world's largest aviation market by 2020.

American Airlines will also try to get more of China's market outside its local destinations through code sharing with Hainan Airlines.

The carrier is reducing payroll and purchasing more efficient aircraft in order to achieve target cuts of $2 billion and receiving $1 billion more revenue after the restructure.

"We will be the airline with the youngest fleet in the US by 2017," Perhirin said.

The carrier ordered 556 new aircraft from Boeing Co and Airbus SAS to substitute its retired aircraft.

The new aircraft will also be utilized on routes to and from China. The announcement of new services in China will be made at a future date, Perhirin added.