But on international routes, better-managed firms such as Cathay Pacific and DragonAir are formidable competitors.

ECONOMIST: Korean Air

China Airlines, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair have all cancelled routes or reduced their frequency.

ECONOMIST: Getting better, or worse? | The

The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and its affiliate airline, Dragonair, got their chance last week.

CNN: A Plane Tale of Caution

"Regional jets are really designed for mature markets, " says Stephen Miller, founder of Hong Kong carrier Dragonair.

CNN: NO PLACE TO LAND

But Cathay, and Dragonair, have earned goodwill for their caution.

CNN: A Plane Tale of Caution

Executives grounded their entire fleets of Airbus 330-300 jets -- Cathay lost 11 planes and Dragonair four -- because of concerns about the reliability of the Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

CNN: A Plane Tale of Caution