Wang Yuanyuan

    MORE flights at the Shenzhen airport are expected to be delayed due to the rainy season which began in April, the airport said Monday.

    According to statistics, storms in April and May and typhoons in July and August are the main reasons for the large number of delayed flights, yesterday’s Chinese-language newspapers reported.

    For example, nearly 200 flights were delayed and 10 were canceled Friday evening due to a thunderstorm, according to Ling Yuzeng, an official of the airport.

    Meanwhile, many flights are delayed due to air traffic control.

    “There are five major airports in the Pearl River Delta with more than 2,500 flights taking off and landing every day. Among these, more than 1,500 flights are heading toward Beijing and Shanghai. Compared with Hong Kong and Guangzhou, flights to and from Shenzhen are given less priority to occupy the air,” said Ling.

    As there had been no system to regulate the delay of flights, several airlines have introduced insurance for delays. For example, the Shanghai-based Spring Airlines will compensate passengers 200 yuan (US$31.73) for a 3-hour delay, 400 yuan for a six-hour delay and 300 yuan for a cancellation if passengers buy the insurance for 20 yuan.

    But, many passengers thought that it was the airlines’ responsibility to compensate them if their planes could not take off on schedule. “There is no reason to ask us to buy insurance,” said a passenger.

    To protest a flight delay, a few enraged passengers ran onto the taxiway at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport on Friday, just two days after more than 20 passengers blocked an airplane from taking off at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

    An investigation has been launched into the cases and Ling said that no similar incidents had occurred at the Shenzhen airport.

    Ling suggested passengers not take such extreme actions to protect their rights as rushing to the taxiway is against the law.

    “It is very dangerous because a passenger may be sucked into the engine and killed. The plane may be malfunctioning and cause serious accidents. According to the law, passengers who run on the taxiway without permission will be fined up to 200 yuan and those guilty of serious violations will be detained for five to 10 days,” the official said.