Korean Air has given indications last week that it will focus on network growth to China, as it celebrates 15 years of flying there in 2009, reports local news outlets.

Korean Air is looking at sustainable growth of service to 30 cities in China by 2010, with a focus on new and emerging airports in the less developed western regions, says national media outlet Xinhua.

J. H. Chae, Korean Air regional manager, says that this growth will be made possible through negotiations between the two countries set to take place later this month.

After signing an agreement with Air China, Korean Air launched services to China in December 1994 with services to Beijing, Qingdao, Shenyang and Tianjin.

Korean Air currently services 115 destinations with a fleet of 126 planes.