Taiwan considers more mainland flights

Taiwan is considering weekend flights to China starting next year, the Wall Street Journal reported. The new flights would be in addition to the holiday charters that already operate across the Taiwan straights, the island's top aviation negotiator told the newspaper. "Weekend charter flights can be launched as soon as Taiwan and China agree on the tourism issue," said Tony Fan, chairman of the Taipei Airlines Association, which handles the charter talks. The island is eager to open the doors wider to the growing number of ever-wealthier mainland tourists. In June, authorities agreed to allow 168 direct flights during the four major holidays every year and to deal with cargo charters on a case-by-case basis.