Regular cross-strait flights tops agenda

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In 2005, after efforts made by the mainland, the Spring Festival charter flights opened to Taiwan compatriots working or living in the mainland. 12 airplane companies from both sides provided non-stop, two-way flights to passengers.

2006 saw a breakthrough. The number of cross-strait round-trip flights increased from 48 to 72. And the city of Xiamen was added as a destination in addition to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Also that year, there were cross-Strait charter flights during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In June last year, talks between the Mainland's ARATS and Taiwan's SEF resumed. They achieved productive results, including an agreement on cross-strait weekend charter flights.

In December last year, a direct flight finally opened on the northern route of the Taiwan Strait. The dream of a direct, two-way flight service became reality.

But it cannot meet the increasing demand. The flight service is still a charter flight operation. A top topic of the negotiations between the two sides is how to make it a regular service and to improve transportation efficiency and service quality.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei