BEIJING - China's civil aviation regulator said Sunday that it has given the green light for domestic airlines to add 14,000 flights to meet massive passenger flow during the 40-day peak spring travel season, which started Sunday.

Passengers are expected to make 34.88 million more trips by air during the Spring Festival travel rush this year, up 7 percent from last year, Xia Xinghua, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said in a press conference.

Xia said airlines are currently running nearly 8,000 flights each day at a capacity that is able to carry 1 million passengers on a daily basis.

The CAAC has specially approved the addition of 412 flights every week so Taiwan businesspeople in the mainland can reunite with their families during the holiday season, Xia said.

The CAAC also vowed to improve flight punctuality during the period.

Meanwhile, Xia said a coordination system between airlines, airports and aviation regulators has been set up to ensure the smooth and safe running of flights in case of freezing rain or heavy snow.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on January 23 this year.