Xinhua reports the Cross-Straits Aviation Transport Exchange Council of the Chinese mainland yesterday invited the Taipei Airlines Association (TAA) in Taiwan to discuss opening non-stop charter flights, especially during the Spring Festival period.

In a message to TAA Chairman Tony Fan, vice-president of the council Pu Zhaozhou invited Fan and members of the TAA to hold direct talks with the the council as early as possible on the technical and business issues of opening passenger and cargo charter flights after the fashion of the previous Spring Festival, namely non-stop charter flights via Hong Kong.

It mentions that the council has sent messages twice to the TAA on holding direct talks as early as possible about opening passenger and cargo flights across the Strait after the fashion of the 2005 Spring Festival.

The proposed talks aim to promote the launching of passenger charter flights on holidays, weekends and regularize such flights and the launching of cargo charter flights with equal participation by air carriers on both sides.

The charter flights allow Taiwan business people and their relatives to travel between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan by a shorter and more direct air route. Previously, they must stop at a third destination, usually Hong Kong and Macao, when making the trip.