Taiwan, China to offer 385 charter flights for New Year

TAIPEI - Taiwanese and Chinese airlines will operate 385 charter flights during the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said Tuesday.

In February, Chinese airlines will offer 287 round-trip flights to Taiwan, while Taiwanese airlines will provide 98 round-trip flights to China, CAA said.

The 10-day Chinese New Year holidays begin February 14.

Due to the high frequency of flights, some are forced to operate in the early morning hours, the Central News Agency said.

The charter flights are in addition to 270 regular cross-strait flights per week, which were introduced on August 31 when Taiwan dropped its six-decade ban on air links with China.

There are some half a million Taiwanese working in China, either opening factories or working in high-tech companies.

The Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday for Chinese all over the world.