Positive signs are emerging for the prospect of non-stop flights being allowed again between rivals China and Taiwan.

China’s government recently made the first move by publicly inviting Taiwan to talks aimed at allowing passenger charter flights over the Chinese New Year holiday period that falls early in 2006. Taiwan responded favourably.

China considers Taiwan a renegade province and non-stop flights have been banned since 1949, forcing passengers and cargo to transit through a third point, usually Hong Kong or Macau. Early this year a landmark deal was agreed that led to six airlines from each side operating non-stop flights to carry Taiwanese businesspeople living in China home for the Chinese New Year. There have been no other flights since then.

Source: Airline Business