Taiwan, Mainland to increase direct flights

　　Flights between Taiwan and the mainland have been met with huge demand since their introduction. The spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office says the two sides are considering increasing transportation capacity to better serve the needs of travelers. In addition, Taiwan's civil aviation aircraft will now be allowed to land at mainland airports in case of emergency.

　　Spokesman Yang Yi says the two sides are considering increasing the direct flight capacity between the mainland and Taiwan to ease transportation pressure.

　　Yang Yi, Spokesman, Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, said, "We fully understand that the residents of the two sides hope to expand the current flight capacity. The mainland and Taiwan are willing to negotiate the issue, to provide a safe and convenient service for the residents of the two sides."

　　Some delegates from Taiwan have proposed allowing Taiwan aircraft to land in Xiamen airport in case of emergency, such as bad weather. Yang Yi says the aviation industries of the two sides can set up a communication channel, to let Taiwan civil aircraft land at mainland airports should the planes run into trouble.

　　Yang said, "The mainland civil aviation authority announced as early as October 1981 that Taiwan aircraft can land at mainland airports in emergency cases. The mainland aviation authority will provide every security safeguard and service facility."

　　By the end of August last year, the direct flights between the mainland and Taiwan had jumped to 270 per week. However, the capacity is still short of demand, as a massive 5 million journeys are made every year across the strait.