Taiwan and Mainland China to increase Lunar New Year services

Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration has capped the increase in the number of passenger services to four Mainland Chinese cities during the Lunar New Year holiday, due to a possible overcrowding of air space (Dow Jones, 28-Dec-2009). Under the limitations, which will last from 31-Jan-2010 to 28-Feb-2010, EVA Air will be allowed to add up to 12 services to Shanghai and ten services to Guangzhou and Beijing. Its affiliate, UNI Air, will be permitted to add up to eight services to Shenzhen, while China Airlines will be allowed to add 12 flights to Shanghai during the period, eight services to Shenzhen and ten services to Guangzhou and Beijing. TransAsia Airways may increase flights to Shanghai by eight. Taiwan and Mainland China agreed to significantly increase cross-Strait passenger flights during the Lunar New Year holiday in order to meet increased demand, with both sides permitting a total of 176 return flights to the 496 originally scheduled for these destinations during the four-week period.