New service caters to commuters

Small airline competes with buses and trains by offering monthly ticket for short-haul flights

China Express Airlines has launched a monthly ticket service that allows passengers to fly between Chongqing municipality and Wanzhou district as many times as they like within a month, a promotion designed to grow the market for commuter airlines against strong competition from highways and railways.

Wanzhou, in the northeast part of Chongqing municipality, is about 240 kilometers from the city. It takes three to four hours by bus to travel between the two areas, while a direct flight can shorten the time to about 40 minutes.