An official from the Chinese mainland aviation sector said Wednesday that the mainland wants to discuss with relevant department of Taiwan matters related to increase cross-Strait chartered flights after its opening during the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year.

Pu Zhaozhou, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, Wednesday sent a message to Tony Fan, congratulating him on taking over as the new leader of the Taipei Aviation Transportation Association.

In the message, Pu expressed the hope that the two bodies would begin a new round of exchanges of views as early as possible, to expand the achievements of the 2005 Spring Festival chartered flights, by discussing details about the opening of cross-Strait chartered flights during periods like festival holidays and weekends, or operating chartered flights on a regular basis.

Tony Fan serves as chairman of TransAsia Airways, based in Taiwan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2005)