China's newly appointed aviation chief vowed yesterday to end frequent delays and cancellations by mainland airlines and threatened penalties for airlines and airports which failed to meet standards.
Li Jiaxiang , who recently replaced Yang Yuanyuan as head of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, announced eight measures at a national conference to 'cure the industry's ills'.
The eight measures, which put special emphasis on improved services during the Olympic Games period, require airlines to ensure much higher standards of punctuality and customer service.
Airlines and airports would lose their qualification to be rated as 'distinguished companies' for two years if they cause long delays and subsequent 'serious social incidents', Xinhua said.
The report also said in that July, August and September, the least punctual flights at the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou airports could lose their time slots on the schedule.
In summer and autumn, the Beijing airport will not be allowed to schedule more than 1,350 flights each day and other Olympic-related airports will also be required to allow at least a 15 per cent reserve capacity to ensure sufficient air traffic support for the Games.