China rejects chartered flights from Korea

The Chinese govt disapproved applications for chartered flights departing from Korea, domestic airlines and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed Sunday. Chinese aviation authorities rejected 8 flights of Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air last week to destinations on the mainland for January. Chartered flights are serviced when there are surplus demands. "There have been cases in which flights of a certain carrier or route were rejected for safety reasons, but it is unprecedented for a whole group of flights of various carriers and routes to be disapproved," said Kim Jung-hee, director of international air transport at the ministry. In addition, it appears Chinese carriers may also withdraw applications for charted flights to Korea. <br/>