Air fares are hitting record lows for nation-wide routes leaving from Shenzhen, in south China's Guangdong province, today's eastday.com reported.

With discounts for most domestic routes ranging from 10 to 60 percent, the Beijing-bound flight are selling at 690 Yuan (US$83), 170 Yuan cheaper than before, and the route to Harbin, in northeast China's Heilongjiang province, plunged almost by half to 1,050 Yuan.

For a trip to southern Hainan province's Haikou, 280-yuan is enough. Return tickets to Shenzhen are offering 20 to 40 percent discounts.

Carriers are out to attract more passengers with such low prices, said insiders, because it is a slack season in the civil aviation industry.

(Eastday.com.cn 05/28/2001)