Hearing the news that China's mainland to open airspace for Taiwan-based China Airlines, Liu Naiheng, the company's first representative in the mainland is very happy.

"This could save more than 1,200 flight hours for my company each year and substantially reduce the cost by nine million US dollars," said Liu.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) approved Friday the application of four Taiwan air companies to fly over China's mainland.

The four air companies are China Airlines, Eva Airways Corp., UNI Airways Corp. and Mandarin Airlines.

According to CAAC, China's mainland will open its airspace to airlines of the four air companies from Taipei and Gaoxiong cities to certain destinations as of Sep. 5.

Eva Airways first representative in Chinese mainland surnamed Chou said that the mainland has lent a helping hand to his company amid soaring international oil prices.

The decision will shorten the air-route length and save the oil consumption, said Chou. It will greatly sharpen the competitiveness of Taiwan air companies.

Liu Naiheng also hoped the civil aviation industries across the straits could further strengthen exchanges and this could mark a step forward towards direct flights across the straits.

Source: Xinhua