The Taiwan-based China Airlines' are making final preparations for its charter flights across the Taiwan Straits during the Chinese New Year period.

China Airlines will operate 12 two-way flights, with the first taking off on Friday.

The Airline has revealed the crews that will service their airbus carrier A330-300 and announced that specially prepared air meals with a Taiwan flavor will be offered to passengers.

Su Mingfeng is the chief chef of the airline. He said: "We will serve passengers with some renowned Taiwan dishes, including the famous chicken rolls and Huagui."

According to the airlines spokesperson, Sun Hongwen, there will be a passenger in need of intensive medical care boarding its first flight from Shanghai to Taipei.

Sun Hongwen said the crew will assist the patient make the less-than-three-hour flight.

He said: "We will definitely assign a crew member who has a medical background. Meanwhile, we'll rearrange the seats to accommodate the stretcher."

In all there will be 72 round trip flights from January 20 to February 13 between Taiwan and the mainland, with each region having six airlines providing flights.

Along with Taiwan business people and their families, Taiwan residents holding appropriate travel documents will be allowed to take the flights.

Flights to the mainland will land in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and for the first time this year in Xiamen. Charter flights will also service Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Airlines across the Strait reached a consensus last November to renew charter flights during this year's Spring Festival.

(CRI.com January 17, 2006)