CAAC slams Taipei for obstructing family reunions

BEIJING: Mainland civil aviation authorities condemned Taipei’s disregard for the well-being of people across the Taiwan Straits by blocking a plan for additional Spring Festival flights.

“Taipei must bear all the subsequent consequences of such an unreasonable practice that is obstructing family reunions,” the Civil Aviation Administration of China said in a statement.

Two Chinese mainland airlines said on Tuesday they have had to cancel 176 flights after Taipei blocked a plan for additional Spring Festival flights, citing concerns over new routes across the Taiwan Straits.

China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have promised to give full refunds or reschedule flights for passengers who booked the trips, which had been added to schedules to meet increased demand during the seasonal travel rush.

Both carriers have expressed their dissatisfaction and condemned Taipei’s actions, as well as apologised for the inconvenience to passengers.

“Taipei ignored the needs of people on both sides, and took people’s rights as a bargaining chip. The cancellation of the additional flights will leave millions unable to go home, which seriously hurts the feelings of people on both sides of the Straits,” Xiamen Airlines said.

Adding more flights during the Chinese New Year holiday has been a common practice for years to facilitate Taiwan people returning home for the holidays.

This year, mainland airlines applied to add 508 flights from mainland cities to Taiwan between Feb 2 and March 2.