July 26, China’s top 3 carriers -- China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600115.SH), China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600029.SH), Air China Ltd. (601111.SH) -- are reportedly mulling their own low-budget airline units.

Chinese media reported today that all 3 carriers have expressed interest in engaging in the low-budget aviation sector, where so far there’s only one dominant player Spring Airlines Co. Ltd.

None of the airline groups have responded to questions about such plans, but board secretaries of both Air China and China Eastern did say that low-budget aviation is an inevitable trend in the country’s civil aviation industry.

Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd., Asia’s largest low-budget carrier, announced on July 14 its plan to open routes to Beijing as part of its expansion in the Chinese market.

All 3 companies performed well in Shanghai trading today, with China Eastern surging by the daily limit of 10% to close at RMB 5.60 per share. China Southern soared 9.18% to close at RMB 8.68 per share, while Air China jumped 6.91% to RMB 10.37 per share.

Spring Airlines, China’s largest and only low-budget carrier, plans to launch an initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in the first quarter of 2012.

Spring Airlines postponed its floating plan scheduled for March last year. The IPO is expected to raise more than RMB 8 billion.