The elderly in southwest China's Sichuan Province will be afforded preferential air tickets this winter, according to sources with the Sichuan Airlines Monday.

It is the first time for a Chinese airline company to provide preferential tickets for the elderly.

An official with Sichuan Airlines said the elderly who fly to Sanya city, a popular tourist destination in China's southernmost Hainan province, will enjoy an 80 percent discount on tickets.

The average air ticket from Chengdu to Sanya is worth 1,590 Yuan (US$200), but the elderly would only need to pay 320 Yuan (US$40) for their trip after the discount.

Sichuan Airlines also promises that it will reserve at least 20seats on each scheduled flight for the preferential ticket holders, despite the fact that tickets are very popular during this season.

Since winter periods are cold in most of China, south China areas such as Guangdong and Hainan provinces, are popular vacation refuges.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)