China's civil aviation authority has taken up steps to secure flight safety amid frequent international air accidents in August.

Shanghai-based newspaper China Business News reports Friday that Yang Yuanyuan, head of China Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC) has dispatched high-level officials to make inspections of flight safety around the country.

The former chief pilot flew on several passenger flights with China Eastern Airline, China Southern Airline and Air China, from Taiyuan to Beijing, and from Guanghzou to Zhenjiang. Yang Yuanyuan made notes of his findings while talking with pilots and attendants. He also inspected ground teams including engineering and maintenance services.

The aviation chief said during the inspections that the international air accidents that have led to 400 dead and five-plane losses in August have rung an alarm for Chinese carriers to be on high alert regarding flight security. He urged all pilots and other personnel to take all necessary measures to secure flight safety.

During the busy summer flight season, lightening and thunderstorms threatened air flights. But experts warn that human factors are largely responsible for air accidents in most circumstances. Pilot training, maintenance and ground control personnel play vital roles in the flights.

Recalling on the 10 air accidents in the past five years, Yang calls on all carriers to improve pilot training scheme in a bid to strengthen the country's aviation industry.

It is reported that China's regulations on civil aviation safety would come into effect within a year to address air flight safety administration.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 26, 2005)