"It would be impossible to complete the renewal of the air pact anytime soon," said an official with the "Civil Aeronautics Administration" (CAA), which is to do the negotiations under the supervision of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).

"The air pact will be temporarily extended to the year-end" before a new pact can be worked out, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The number of flights is expected to increase in the renewed pact to meet growing demand.

At present four airlines provide flight services between Hong Kong and Taiwan - China Airlines, EVA Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Hong Kong Dragon Airlines.

It would be the first time the MAC, which formulates the island's policy towards the mainland, plays a role in the air pact to be signed by airlines themselves.

The existing aviation pact expired in 1996 and was later extended for five years to carry on after Hong Kong's return to the Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

The airlines have hoped to increase their flights on the "golden route," given growing Taiwan-mainland civil exchanges via Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

EVA Air demanded that its weekly flights be increased to 42 flights from the present 16 flights, the Liberty Times reported.

Agencies via Xinhua