This dissertation, "The Growth of Second-tier Airlines in China" by Shing-tak, Philip, Leong, 梁成德, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract This dissertation examines the reasons behind the emergence and growth of secondary airlines in China. The findings show that a combination of prevailing socio-economic conditions and the airlines' reaction to and exploitation of those conditions contributed to their survival and growth. The CAAC was broken up in the 1980's into six state owned national carriers. This marks the threshold of the deregulation of China's aviation industry. At the same time, the State also provided for the creation of completely independent airlines. These airlines operate at a scale which is a notch below the national carriers. They are, therefore the second tier airlines of China. Blessed with favourable governmental policy and economic climate as well as their own smart and ingenious footwork in operational and financial matters, these airlines have weathered not only stiff competition in the market place but the ups and downs of the industry during the mid 90's and early millennium. With the market's continuing to evolve rapidly, the secondary airlines are now at a crossroad. In front of them are both opportunities and challenges. Whether their success stories will continue tomorrow would be dependent on how they surmount the challenges and make the most of the opportunities. iii DOI: 10.5353/th_b3157076 Subjects: Airlines - Deregulation - China