Cross-Straits charter flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan for the upcoming Spring Festival will operate between Feb. 1 and 15, according to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).

Like the previous years, 12 airline companies, or six from each side, will fly 93 flights during the period, and the airports involved will be those in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Taipei and Kaohsiung, according to the CAAC.

This year's Spring Festival, the first day of the first month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, falls on Feb. 7. It is the most important festive occasion for Chinese to enjoy family reunions.

About 4 million people from Taiwan visit the Chinese mainland annually and an increasing number of Taiwan residents stay on the other side of the Taiwan Straits for business and study.

But no direct regular flights have been available across the Taiwan Straits for more than five decades. Passengers must transfer at Hong Kong or Macao, costing more time and money.

The two sides worked out a solution of operating direct charter flights at festivals.

The first non-stop charter flights were launched during the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2005.

On June 14, 2006, the mainland-based Cross-Strait Aviation Transport Exchange Council and the Taipei Airlines Association agreed to open charter flights for other traditional festivals, including Tomb-sweeping Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Chinese mainland has repeatedly called for weekend and regular charter flights across the Straits.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2008)