Macao, mainland ink new air transport deal

MACAO, Feb. 3 (Chinese media) -- Civil aviation authorities of the Chinese

mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Tuesday signed here a

new memorandum of understanding (MOU), lifting part of the restrictions imposed

on airline designation and capacity, with the aim to enhance the air transport

between the two places.

The memorandum was signed by He Jinri, vice director of the Air Transport

Bureau of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), and Chan

Weng Hong, president of the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM).

A similar MOU was already signed in December 2006, under which the number

of mainland destinations opened for air transport operation with Macao was 57,

and certain restrictions was imposed on designation of airlines and the capacity

provisions.

As for the new memorandum, the number of destinations is still confined to

57, but the restrictions imposed on airline designation and capacity are

partially lifted.

The mainland destinations for scheduled services which Macao currently

connects to are 12, including Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guilin, Kunming,

Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Wuhan, Tianjin and Wuxi. These services are

operated by six mainland and Macao airlines.

The SAR's secretary for Transport and Public Works Lau Si Io thanked the

Central Government for its long-term support rendered to Macao's aviation

industry.

Meanwhile, Lau also proposed that the mainland authorities allow the

mainland airlines to fly beyond points via Macao, Macao airlines to fly to

beyond points via mainland cities and foreign airlines to fly to mainland cities

via Macao.

For his part, Vice Minister of CAAC Yang Guoqing said that the central

government will continue rendering support to the development of Macao's

aviation and will study into the issues raised by the Macao side.

Both sides also agreed that the civil aviation authorities of Macao and

mainland meet regularly to continually discuss and exchange opinions and

establish cooperation regarding the enhancement of the air transport market

between the two sides.