Shenzhen Airlines and China Southern Airlines will both increase the number of flights during the traditional Chinese New Year period.

The two airlines are responsible for most of the passenger transport between Shenzhen and other Chinese cities.

Shenzhen Airlines will add 798 flights between Jan. 6 and Feb. 16. Of these, 420 will be scheduled before the Spring Festival, while 378 will be scheduled after Jan. 22. A company source said most of the extra flights would be between Jan. 6 and Feb. 6.

The source said there would be an average of six daily flights between Shenzhen and cities such as Shanghai, Sanya and Haikou. There will be seven daily flights between Shenzhen and Beijing and five between Shenzhen and Wuhan. There will be at least one flight a day to Nanchang, Changsha, Chengdu, Xi’an, Dalian, Shenyang, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. The source said the people could call 96737 for bookings and inquiries.

China Southern Airlines did not give details of extra flights but a spokesperson said the additional flights would be on routes between Shenzhen and cities such as Zhangjiajie, Changsha, Hangzhou, Guilin, Hefei and Nanchang. There would be at least four flights a day between Shenzhen and Xi’an, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Guilin, Kunming, Changsha, Wuhan and Nanning.

The source said the company would open new routes during the Chinese New Year to cities such as Nantong, Changde, Xiangfan and Lanzhou.

The source also said intending travelers could book tickets one month in advance.

 (Shenzhen Daily December 12, 2003)