Cross-Straits charter flights between the Chinese mainland and
Taiwan for the upcoming Spring Festival will operate between Feb. 1
and 15, according to the General Administration of Civil Aviation
of China (CAAC).
Like the previous years, 12 airline companies, or six from each
side, will fly 93 flights during the period, and the airports
involved will be those in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen,
Taipei and Kaohsiung, according to the CAAC.
This year's Spring Festival, the first day of the first month of
the Chinese Lunar Calendar, falls on Feb. 7. It is the most
important festive occasion for Chinese to enjoy family
reunions.
About 4 million people from Taiwan visit the Chinese mainland
annually and an increasing number of Taiwan residents stay on the
other side of the Taiwan Straits for business and study.
But no direct regular flights have been available across the
Taiwan Straits for more than five decades. Passengers must transfer
at Hong Kong or Macao, costing more time and money.
The two sides worked out a solution of operating direct charter
flights at festivals.
The first non-stop charter flights were launched during the
Chinese Lunar New Year in 2005.
On June 14, 2006, the mainland-based Cross-Strait Aviation
Transport Exchange Council and the Taipei Airlines Association
agreed to open charter flights for other traditional festivals,
including Tomb-sweeping Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the
Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Chinese mainland has repeatedly called for weekend and
regular charter flights across the Straits.
(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2008)