A spokeswoman at Air China Ltd., China's largest international carrier, said that the company is planning to borrow at least US$750 million this month to expand its fleet as travel demand rises in the world's second-biggest aviation market, Reuters reported.

She pointed out that the airline plans to add about 24 planes this year. The planes are part of government orders put to Airbus SAS and Boeing Co. earlier, she added.

Rival China Eastern Airlines Co. received US$635 million in loans last year to buy planes, more than the US$468.2 million in loans it got in 2006. China Southern Airlines Co. got US$196 million in loans in 2007, less than US$573 million in loans in 2006.

Carriers including Air China may fly 210 million passengers in 2008, compared with an expected 185 million last year, China's aviation regulator said last month. Cargo volume may rise 12 percent to 4.45 million tons.