Opening of more air space gives lift to domestic travel

The civil aviation authority will optimize flight routes between the Pearl River Delta and northwestern regions to release more airspace for airlines and improve punctuality.

The move will enable commercial aircraft to travel to and return from a destination on two separate air lanes, which are usually called a one-way route, instead of the current two-way routes on which pilots have to adjust altitude to ensure that aircraft in all directions can go through the intersections in order, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The administration said in a statement that the measure, which is set to take effect on April 2, will create a large-capacity air channel between Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, and Lanzhou, Gansu's provincial capital, naming it the "Guangzhou-Lanzhou Air Passage".