As for Beijing's latest push for direct charter flights across the Taiwan Straits the executives with the six airlines in Taiwan have expressed optimist hopes for the charter flights for Spring Festival, which falls on February 9, and they will not be absent for the historical festival even if it is packed for the arrangement.

It is learned that Pu Zhaozhou, director of the Office of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs under the General Administration of the Civil Aviation of China, on December 3 said the charter flights for Spring Festival would be handled according to the way during Spring Festival in 2003 and in accordance with the principle of the direct and two-way charter flights. Non-government industrial associations and airlines across the Straits can engage in direct talks to reach a consensus and make appropriate arrangements. It is proposed that mainland destinations for the charter flight plan may expand to Beijing, Guangzhou and Xiamen instead of only Shanghai.

"China Airlines'' in Taiwan said it will deal with the charter flights for Spring Festival in line with the policies and book three air routes from Taipei to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The airlines also pointed out when charter flights are available it is needless to worry about travelers. Those Taiwan business people who failed to book tickets or are not planning to return to Taiwan are potential travelers.

EVA Airways Corp also said if there are charter flights for the coming festival there will be travelers on both sides of the Straits. If compared with the charter flights during the Spring Festival in 2003 there will be more operational space. In accordance with the corresponding policies and the requirements from the business people in Taiwan it will arrange charter flights for the festival.

In addition, the other four airlines -- TransAsia Airways, Mandarin Airlines, Far Eastern Air Transport and Uni Air -- on the island with regional flight routes also expressed they will not be absent from arranging the charter flights for the festival.

It is reported that many Taiwan business people have booked tickets in advance. The airline executives believe that the relevant work will be very packed if the Beijing and Guangzhou routes are added in addition to Shanghai.

By People's Daily Online