DPP's game over holiday flights will fool no one

The Taiwan aviation authority still refuses to give the green light to the 176 extra flights planned by China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Air to facilitate travel from the mainland back to the island for Spring Festival.

Safety concerns have been cited as the excuse because both airlines fly the M503 air route. But that route has been proved safe since it was launched on March 29, 2015. It is obvious that the island's authorities are playing a political game at the cost of convenient cross-Straits travel during the holiday.

With hidden intent, the leaders of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said that they would be willing to sit down and talk with the mainland if the latter gives a goodwill gesture.