China to suspend applications for new airlines

China's airline freeze

China’s aviation authorities are suspending applications for new airlines until 2010. This in order to prevent overheating of the nation’s airline industry.

A statement on the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) website said the move would check the overheated development of air transport, and ensure safety standards would be maintained.

The rapid development was threatening safety because of a shortage of pilots and the limited capacity of both airspace and domestic airports.

However, CAAC will still welcome applications for establishing cargo airlines that employ mostly foreign pilots and operate at night, as well as airlines that use China-made aircraft and operate in western and northeastern China.
Source: Ou Meng Jue Ding