Chinese airlines are working to cut operational costs in the wake
of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Official statistics show passenger numbers throughout the country
dropped by 81.2 percent in the first ten days of this month,
compared with the same time last year, according to Friday's China
Daily.
In
addition to the year-on-year seven percent drop in April, industry
analysts said most domestic airlines had already been dragged into
heavy deficit this year.
As
one of the strongest signs of troubled times, it is claimed three
major domestic carriers, Air China, China Eastern Airlines and
China Southern Airlines, will delay the delivery of new
aircrafts.
Sources said they may not take the delivery of 39 new planes this
year and the delivery schedule, which has cut off point of 2005, is
still being discussed.
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2003)
