The new schedule, released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), reveals a total of 15,715 flights will be operated during the season, which ends March 24 next year and the number of seats available on these flights is roughly 2.25 million, according to Monday's Chinadaily.

The schedule provides 28.1 percent more flights and 12.5 percent more seats than what was offered during the last winter-spring season.

A CAAC press release said that the number of flights operating along most major air routes will still be under tight government control.

It said the measure was designed to prevent cut-throat compensation and overcrowding along some of the more lucrative routes.

The document noted, however, that the measure was not imposed on all air routes and that some regional routes in western parts of China would not be subject to rigorous government regulation.

CAAC has encouraged airlines in the western region to begin offering an increased number of regional flights linking cities in the region.

Domestic airlines have adjusted to accommodate CAAC's new flight schedule, and the new flight timetable is available in ticket agencies all over the country.

In another development, the State Development Planning Commission recently issued a circular authorizing domestic airlines to adjust their ticket prices following the price changes on the international market.

The circular said airlines could introduce ticket price changes amounting to within 20 percent of their existing prices.

The document also explained that domestic airlines desiring to change their prices must publish their new prices seven days before putting them into effect, in addition to submitting detailed price-adjustment reports to CAAC.

(People's Daily 10/30/2000)