AACM approves application of 73 extra and charter flights, number which outgrows last year by more than 1.5 times, to cope with air transport demand for Chinese New Year

The lunar Chinese New Year is approaching. This year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) received the application for a number of extra and charter flights and have eventually approved a total of 73 flights, allowing the local air transport market to provide enough capacity during Chinese New Year for both the Macao residents and the passengers from other places, especially the Chinese across the straits, to travel between Macao and mainland China, Taiwan China, Japan and Korea.

The 73 extra and charter flights which were approved by AACM have started operation since 14 February and will run till 28 February 2015. These flights include:

The extra and charter flights of this lunar new year outgrows the last year’s figure of 28 flights by more than 160%. Last year, only Air Macau Company Ltd. filed in the application; this year, there were 5 airlines who submitted their applications, namely Air Macau Company Ltd., East Asia Airlines Limited, Juneyao Airlines, TransAsia Airways and Jin Air. AACM said, “Traditionally, the Chinese across the straits often go home during Chinese New Year to enjoy their holidays. For the mainland Chinese, the  mood for outbound travel or travelling within the country is often enthusiastic during this time. This often leads to a high demand for the air transport market in Macao. Furthermore, the Macao residents can enjoy four to five leisure days this year, the duration of which makes it possible to go on a short trip. As a result, the markets for the short-haul flights such as mainland China, Taiwan China, Japan and Korea are in great demand.”

The SAR Government has always supported the development of aviation and has adopted liberal air transport policies since the beginning. In approving extra and charter flights, the Authority will put into consideration passenger interests, based on safety first as the top priority. Flexible measures are adopted to make approvals in an appropriate manner so that it is convenient for airlines to prepare for their best in offering quality flight services to passengers even at peak seasons.

In October 2012, AACM started to implement the restrictions on the carriage of lithium batteries by passengers on board the aircraft. As there are cases from time to time of passengers who do not follow the requirements, AACM takes the opportunity hereby to inform passengers that lithium batteries of 100Wh or less must be carried in cabin or hand carry baggage but not in checked-in baggage. The details of the above requirements can be read in the AACM website – “Laws, Regulations and Multilateral Conventions – Aeronautical Circular” at
http://www.aacm.gov.mo/law_notice_list.php?cid=9&pageid=140

The Civil Aviation Authority has approved 73 extra and charter flights for this Chinese New Year allowing the local air transport market to provide enough capacity for both the Macao residents and the passengers from other places to travel between Macao and mainland China, Taiwan China, Japan and Korea.