Domestic air routes all open by 2010

Civil aviation authorities plan to open up all domestic air routes by 2010, a move expected to boost the industry.

In its clearest signal yet, the General Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC) said on its website that airlines will no longer need approval for new domestic flights and instead be required to only submit plans to do so.

"It is possible that in the near future, flights to only five cities need approval. Our goal is that by 2010, all flights to airports in all cities do not need CAAC approval," said CAAC head Yang Yuanyuan in a press release. "Airlines will just need to report to us for file purposes."