The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will arrange 94 cross-Straits
charter flights during the upcoming Spring Festival, China's
General Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC) said in a circular
released on its website on Monday.
The flights will operate from Feb. 2 to Feb. 6 and from Feb. 11
to Feb. 15, the circular said. It was earlier reported 93 flights
would be arranged.
The first non-stop chartered flight across the Taiwan Straits
was launched during the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2005. The
following year, 72 round-trip flights were arranged during the
holiday.
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.
Like previous years, 12 airline companies, six from each side,
will offer flights during the period. The airports involved include
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Taipei and Kaohsiung,
according to the CAAC.
(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2008)