The Shanghai's consumer protection commission is conducting a survey of complaints about airline service problems along with its counterparts in Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing in response to a growing number of grievances in recent years.

The commissions are expected to release a report on their finding next month to state aviation authorities and air carriers.

The Shanghai Commission of Consumers' Rights and Interests heard 171 complaints about bad airline service so far this year, an increase of 16 percent from the same period last year.

"Gripes focus on flight delays, missing luggage and disputes over tickets," said commission vice secretary-general Zhang Jiaming.

In one case, a local woman surnamed Chen bought a ticket for a May 29 flight to Los Angeles. The flight was supposed to board at 2:50 PM, but passengers weren't allowed on the plane until nearly 10 PM.

Passengers got angry after no exact explanation of the delay was given by the air carrier or the airport, which only provided a free supper.

The air carrier promised to give each passenger 20 yuan (US$2.41) to pay for telephone calls during the delay, but Chen said she didn't get any money.

The company eventually paid her 200 yuan after the commission stepped in.

Altogether, the commission heard 22,213 complaints in the first half of this year.

(Shanghai Daily July 20, 2005)