Airlines to fend off fast-train threat

BEIJING - Under pressure from the 300 km/h Beijing-Shanghai rail service that started on June 30, the air transport industry has announced several initiatives to improve punctuality and strengthen cooperation with high-speed rail operators.

A publicity official from the North China regional area of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that two meetings were held recently in an attempt to find ways to prevent the profitable Beijing-Shanghai air route from being sidelined by the new fast-train connection between the cities.

"There are not only measures to sharpen flights' competitiveness but there will also be cooperation, such as the fact that airlines will put passengers on fast trains if flights are seriously delayed or canceled," he said.