Chinese airlines cancel flights amid Taiwan route dispute
The cross-strait row between China and Taiwan shows no sign of easing anytime soon, at least not before the busy Lunar New Year holiday exodus.
China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines cancelled a total of 176 flights between China and Taiwan which were added to meet demand over the Chinese New Year.
The airlines said the added flights – 106 by China Eastern and 70 by Xiamen Airlines – had to be cancelled due to Taiwan’s refusal to approve them, a claim Taiwan disputes.
The spat centres on China opening a contentious northbound air route over the Taiwan Strait which Taiwan says was not agreed upon and comes too close to airspace used by Taiwanese military planes.
Taiwan has stood firm as it claims Chinese military jets regularly encroach on Taiwan’s airspace.
China maintains there is no safety threat and this and other new flight paths are needed to avoid congestion.
The flight cancellations could affect up to 40,000 Taiwanese trying to fly home for the holidays.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction and condemnation of the Taiwan authorities, who disregard public opinion and cling obstinately to their course," a China Eastern statement said.
Taiwan says it hasn’t actually declined flight approvals.
"We never said that we wouldn’t approve of the added flights by China Eastern or Xiamen Airlines. All along we said we hope that the situation can meet the needs of travellers and that we can all discuss an appropriate arrangement for the added flights," said Taiwan’s transport minister Hochen Tan.
Taiwan’s beef is over China’s ‘disrespectful’ decision to open the new air routes without proper discussions.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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