Taiwan makes moves to reinstate direct flights to China

Airline Industry Information, Oct 12, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Taiwanese government is reportedly ready to agree to China's demands over a resumption of direct flights between the two countries which could cut flight times by four hours.

Taiwan currently insists that any flights to and from China stop at a third country such as Hong Kong or Macau but the Mainland Affairs Council said that allowing direct cargo and passenger flights would benefit both tourism and businesses.

China has yet to comment on Taiwan's response and may wait until after the Taiwanese elections in December 2004 which could see the pro-independence Democratic Progressives win power, putting an even bigger strain on political relations between the two countries, reports Bloomberg.

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