China's General Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) stopped several Chinese domestic flights from operating due to their high frequency of delayed departures.
The CAAC banned four flights from two airlines from operating on July 31. CA1295, CA4172, and CA984 from Air China and MU5458 from China Eastern, all had up to ten-hour delays, according to the CAAC report.
Airlines will not be allowed to operate if they have too many delayed flights. The CAAC will also took punitive measures toward 20 airlines listed with least punctual departure records, announced the airline administration on May 1, this year.
About 120 airlines listed with the 20 least punctual departures have received official "Yellow Card" warnings. After two "Yellow Cards" these airlines must cease operations.
Recently the CAAC has paid particular attention to punctual departures due to frequent rainstorms.
To guarantee safety with punctuality, the Chinese aviation administration carefully monitors flights during rush hours.
Currently at Beijing Capital International Airport flights depart less than a minute during rush hours.
(China.org.cn by Wu Jin, August 3, 2007)