Flight attendants' strike causes chaos in Taiwan airports

TAIPEI - An ongoing strike of flight attendants has forced Taiwan's "China Airlines," the largest of the island's carriers, to cancel Friday's more than 60 flights from two airports, according to the carrier.

Hundreds of flight attendants began to gather at the carrier's Taipei office at midnight Thursday. They demanded the company raise the bonus for those on duty overseas, guarantee them 123 days annual holidays, and withdraw its decision to change the place for attendants to report for duty from Songshan Airport in downtown Taipei to Taoyuan Airport, a 40 minute-drive between the two.

The airline announced late night Thursday the cancellation of more than 60 flights from Taoyuan and Songshan airports between 6 am and 10 pm Friday, which will affect the travel of more than 20,000 passengers. Flights from Tainan and Kaohsiung are unaffected.

The company said it will help passengers rearrange their travel plans. Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at the two airports on Friday due to the strike.