Taiwan and China appeared to be heading for a serious dispute over cross-strait flights.
The government yesterday confirmed that 31 of 36 cross-strait flights operated by Chinese airlines would expire on Aug. 1 in retaliation for Beijing’s decisions affecting Taiwanese airlines. The remaining five flights would expire on Oct. 30.
The dispute centers around the distribution of 50 flights added to the schedule following cross-strait negations in May. China said 20 of the 50 new flights must be reserved for airports in Xiamen and Fuzhou as part of its plan to develop the Strait West Special District.
With Taiwanese carriers offering 30 flights to the two airports, the government said Taiwan was already meeting that requirement.
Fourteen of the 50 flights were reserved for the direct service between Taipei Songshan Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.
Taiwanese airlines were also under the impression that they could make changes to arrangements on 135 flights agreed upon during earlier negotiations, such as moving some flights from Fujian Province to other cities. However, Beijing now says no changes can be made.
Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) Director General Ying Cheng-pong (尹承篷) said China had faxed a response to proposed changes in cross-strait flights last week, and Taiwan had replied in kind.
“Because of the disputes, we were hoping to meet [Chinese officials] as soon as possible,” Ying said. “They told us that both sides were scheduled to meet some time before October, but that they were not planning to meet immediately.”
Ying said the CAA was seeking to resolve the matter through an “alternative channel,” adding that political intervention might be necessary.
Ying said 31 cross-strait flights offered by Chinese carriers could only operate until Aug. 1. Whether an extension was granted would be contingent on future negotiations, he said.
The CAA said the decision to shorten the licenses for China’s new flights was aimed at facilitating new negotiations on the issue.
“New negotiations have become necessary because of divided views on the number of new weekly flights,” Ying said.
As a result of the stalled negotiations, 36 flights operated by Taiwanese carriers were unable to start operations, Ying said.
“We have shown goodwill on this matter,” Ying said. “At this point, China has had the advantage.”
The launch of “red eye” flights to Beijing and Shenzhen have been cancelled because they had not attracted enough customers.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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