THE airline companies in Shenzhen have no plans to operate late-night flights in the near future although the national aviation industry watchdog lifted a four-year ban on late-night flights Sunday (Mar 26).

The General Administration of the Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) allowed domestic airports to operate until 2 a.m. and Xinjiang till 4 a.m. starting from Sunday.

However, airline companies in Shenzhen said they would not change their schedules in the near future because the busy travel season had not arrived.

China Southern Airlines Shenzhen branch said it had plenty of seats on offer, thus reducing the need for late-night flights.

Shenzhen Airlines also said it would not start late-night flights any time soon.

However, a Shenzhen Airlines spokesperson said the company might open midnight flights in busy season periods like the Spring Festival, and May Day and National Day holidays.

The prices of late-night flights are about 20 percent lower than day flights.

The CAAC banned all late-night flights after an air tragedy in Dalian on May 7, 2002. It lifted the ban temporarily from some airports for the busy travel season but resumed the ban immediately after the holiday periods.

Editor: Wing