[photopress:air_spring_festival_travelers.jpg,full,alignright]According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) an estimated 22 million passengers traveled by air during the Spring Festival, 10% more than the same period a year ago.
The seven-day Spring Festival holiday, China’s traditional lunar new year, is the busiest time for transport companies as many Chinese go back to their hometowns for family reunions.
The administration said the air traffic in major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Kunming was strictly controlled to ensure smooth and safe flights.
The new third terminal at the Beijing Capital International Airport, which aims to enhance transport capacity greatly, comes into operation this month.
The CAAC is firm in stating it will stop taking applications for the founding of new airlines before 2010.
Li Jiaxiang, the CAAC’s acting director, said the administration would strictly examine the applications it had received and approve the establishment of no more than three new airlines each year.
He said, mincing no words, that China’s airlines need to brush up their management, attract more talent to the industry and upgrade infrastructure.
China now has more than 40 domestic airline companies, and less than 10 are state-owned.
Source: China View