INTERVIEW-Continental Air COO sees business demand up in 2010

* COO and CEO-elect says business travel won't die

* Says has some indications business traffic improving

* Says to add more China routes ahead of fresh growth there

* Says rivals who postponed China service made a mistake

* Says currently has no M&A plans

by Maria Sheahan and Angelika Gruber

FRANKFURT, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Demand for business-class plane tickets will pick up again in 2010 as companies loosen travel restrictions amid a global economic recovery, Continental Airlines' (CAL.N) chief operating officer told Reuters.

"People who have predicted the demise of business travel are wrong," Jeff Smisek, who is also set to become chief executive of the U.S. airline on Jan. 1, said in an interview on Tuesday.