A long-awaited agreement between China and Taiwan on direct flights has finally come, with the two sides agreeing to allow direct flights on weekends, starting on 4 July. The agreement allows for airlines on each side to operate eighteen weekly flights across the Taiwan Strait, as opposed to right now, when such flights are only offered during four holiday periods each year. However, most traffic will continue to flow via Hong Kong or Macau, which can more than double the trip length.
Normalization of economic relations between China and Taiwan are expected to progress further under new Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, which would likely include additional direct flights, to the detriment of Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair.
Update: flights are still required to fly over Hong Kong, although they will not have to land.
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Fri, 13. June 2008
China and Taiwan Agree to Direct Flights
Sun, 8. June 2008
China Southern Flies Pandas From Earthquake Region
The recent earthquake in Sichuan Province last month has led to many relief flights, including an unusual one by China Southern Airlines. On 24 May, the airline flew eight giant pandas, doctors, and scientists on a special 747-400F from Chengdu to Beijing, where the pandas will join the National Zoo.The earthquake destroyed the Panda Protection Centre’s enclosures at the Wolong Nature Reserve and left two pandas missing. The resulting conditions left the remainder with symptoms of anxiety and loss of appetite. The pandas will remain at the National Zoo for healing and breeding and as an inspiration for Chinese affected by the earthquake.