Citing safety concerns, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) has announced its plans to scale back flights at Beijing airport and impose ban on the new airlines before 2010. There will be overall adjustment in the number of flights, entry into the aviation industry and rise in cargo capacity, to ensure safety and bring about the positive, rapid, healthy and orderly development. There are plans to restrict flight arrivals and departures at Beijing Capital Airport to 1,050 per day or 58 per hour at peak times by the end of October. The number will further fall to 1,000 per day or a maximum of 55 at peak hours by the end of March 2008. It’ll be mandatory for three biggest carriers of China i.e. Air China, China Eastern and China Southern to cut a total of 336 daily flights. Other high-traffic airports will be required to take similar measures by March 2008. New airlines would be permitted from 2010 but the threshold for entering the market would be raised considerably. CAAC has yet not sent the official notice to the airlines but plans to send it shortly. Image Credit Source: IHT