China's aviation watchdog orders safety precautions in thunderstorm season

BEIJING - The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Tuesday called for coordinated precautionary measures against summer thunderstorms.

It is often difficult to ensure flight safety in the summer due to frequent thunderstorms. Between June and August, extreme weather is expected to increase compared to the same period in past years, Sun Shaohua, deputy director of the CAAC operation monitoring center told a press conference.

In the meantime, air traffic is busier in the summer as summer vacation for students begins around June, adding challenges for flight service providers, Sun said.

Sun called for coordinated efforts by airport, air traffic control, airlines, and other service providers to work out contingency plans in case of flight delays and other emergencies.

Air traffic control authorities should develop detour and diversion routes to cope with flight delays, he said.