Chinese airlines are putting on additional flights to transport
home-bound passengers stranded by snowstorms that have been
sweeping almost half the country.
Shanghai Airlines sent three Boeing 757s to the central cities
of Changsha and Wuhan and Nanchang in the east, where a large
number of passengers were stranded in airports. The planes are
standing by to carry them home as long as meteorological conditions
allow.
Air China, the country's largest international airline and the
national flag carrier, scheduled 42 additional flights for the
southwest Chongqing Municipality. About 5,000 passengers are
expected to benefit from the newly-added flights.
Long Qiang, an Air China official, said the carrier would cover
the additional flight costs.
(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)