Mainland, Taipei upbeat on direct flights
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-15 16:46

Taiwan and the mainland began talks Saturday on temporarily lifting the island's five-decade ban on direct flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits during next month's Lunar New Year holiday.

Pu Zhaozhou (R), vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, shakes hands with Mike Lo, chairman of Taipei Airlines Association, before their meeting with delegates from the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in Macao January 15, 2005. The two sides held talks on Saturday on landmark direct flights over the Chinese New Year holidays, a move which could ease tensions and improve the cross-Straits relations. [Reuters]

If the negotiators succeed in reaching an agreement, the deal would be the biggest breakthrough between Taiwan and the mainland in years. It could raise a possible thaw in cross-Straits tensions.

Pu Zhaozhou, vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, said before the talks started in a hotel in Macao that "we hope we can reach a consensus as soon as possible. Up to now, everyone has been very sincere."

His counterpart from the Taiwan island, Billy Chang, also expressed optimism: "My expectation is success."

The charter flights would carry hundreds of Taiwanese who work or study in the mainland back home for the weeklong New Year holiday, which begins February 8. The celebration is the year's biggest in Chinese societies.

Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration Chief Billy Chang (L) is greeted by Pu Zhaozhou (R) vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission before their meeting in Macao January 15, 2005. The two sides held talks on Saturday on landmark direct flights over the Chinese New Year holidays, a move which could ease tensions and improve the cross-Straits relations. [Reuters]

Airlines from the two sides of Straits haven't flown direct flights since 1949 when local Taiwan authorities banned direct flights. 

Tens of thousands of Taiwanese travel to the mainland each year for sightseeing or doing business. But they have to change planes at a third point -- usually Hong Kong or Macao -- before flying to the mainland.

Business leaders and Taiwan residents say the indirect flights are a waste of time and money, and have been pressuring the local Taipei government to lift the ban.

In Saturday's talks, negotiators were expected to discuss recognizing travel documents and air controllers' orders, officials said. They might also agree on a timetable for flights.

In 2003, charter flights run by Taiwan airlines picked up hundreds of Taiwanese businesspeople from Shanghai. But the planes had to stop in Hong Kong or Macao, and Taiwan barred mainland airlines from servicing the route.

This year, Taiwan said it would allow mainland airlines to carry passengers if they pass through Hong Kong airspace, without touching down, instead of flying in a straight line across the Taiwan Straits.

Airlines are hoping the charter service will prompt the two sides to start regular flights, which would be extremely lucrative.

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