Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/01/18
By: C.L. Chen and Flor Wang
Taipei, Jan. 18 (CNA) Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) confirmed a
CNA file photo
news report Thursday that it has provisionally delayed approval of applications by two China-based airlines to operate additional cross-strait flights during the Lunar New Year holiday in protest at China’s unilateral decision to launch a northbound M503 route.
The Taipei-based CAA said it has put on hold the application by China Eastern and Xiamen Air to fly a total of 176 additional cross-strait flights during the holiday period from Feb.15-20, in response to China’s launch of the M503 route which Taiwan considers a threat to aviation safety.
The CAA estimates up to 50,000 passengers could be affected as a result.
The two Chinese airlines said they would have to confer with their respective headquarters before commenting on the development. [FULL STORY]