PARIS -- Hainan Airlines was named 2011 "Best Airline China" and "Staff Service Excellence China" in the annual Skytrax awards at the Paris Air Show Wednesday.

Skytrax, a London-based air transport research and review organization, unveiled the 2011 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

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Hainan Airlines has been the Chinese mainland's only Skytrax Five-Star Airline since January 2011, which, according to Skytrax, is a recognition of those at the forefront of product and service delivery excellence.

The other six Skytrax Five-Star Airlines include Asiana Airlines (South Korea), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong, China), Kingfisher Airlines (India), Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

"The future competition in the aviation market will become increasingly dependent on services rather than the size and market position of companies," Skytrax chief executive officer Edward Plaisted said.

Hainan Airlines began operating in 1993 in southern China's Hainan Province and now has nearly 500 domestic and international routes, covering more than 90 cities around the globe.