Both United and American Airlines have been making extensive acquisitions of international routes as they race to become global carriers.

He predicted that by the year 2000 only 15 to 20 global carriers might remain, with operations linking the United States, Europe and Asia.

The company is also forging strategic alliances with other global carriers and IT businesses.

"Icelandair is a classic niche player," he said, an airline with the potential to feed on traffic that is beyond the notice of global carriers.

Ultimately, the two struggling carriers are expected to merge and then seek further alliances to create a competitive global carrier.

We have no aspirations to be a global carrier.

United, on the other hand, has built a huge international network to Europe and Latin America and has become the world's first true global carrier.

"It is likely to put BT in a leadership position among global carriers."

The concept of a national flag carrier is increasingly being replaced by the multinational or global carrier.

Asiana Airlines has rapidly expanded since its establishment in 1988 to become a midsized, global carrier with a current fleet of 79 aircraft.