China Restricts Beijing Airport Domestic Flights

China's Civil Aviation Authority today said it is limiting growth and cutting domestic capacity at Beijing International Airport, slashing 336 daily passenger flights operated by Chinese carriers by the end of October and another 50 daily flights by March of next year.

The aviation authority also said it would not grant approval to new Chinese carriers for service until 2010, as it attempts to curb rapid growth at the saturated airport and increase the safety of its air transportation system.

According to a statement by the aviation authority issued today, China's air transport industry in 2007 has grown at a clip of nearly 20 percent from 2006 levels, outpacing even the rapid growth of recent years and straining its current infrastructure.

China today said it is starting by reducing a total of 48 flights—mostly at peak hours—operated by China's largest carriers, including Air China and China Southern Airlines.