China’s first private airline took off yesterday, marking the end of the government’s monopoly on air travel.
According to the BBC News website, Okay Airlines flew from Tianjin, in the north of the country, to the central city of Changsha. The airline operates the route exclusively, following the Chinese government’s decision last month to liberalise the sector.
The BBC reports that passenger numbers within China grew by 40% last year – to 120 million – and that the figure is expected to grow fast in coming months and years, in the business and leisure markets.
There are reportedly three other private carriers in China waiting to begin operations; all of them are considering whether to concentrate on the low-cost market.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
