Direct flight between Taiwan and the mainland
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-20 11:33

A China Airlines plane from Taiwan lands at Shanghai Pudong International Airport January 20, 2006, bringing the first group of Spring Festival travellers to the mainland and lifting the curtain of the chartered flights between Taiwan and the mainland. The plane departed from Taipei at about 8:00am and landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 10:34am. Seventy-two flights, operated by airlines both from Taiwan and the mainland, are arranged this year for Taiwan compatriots. The plane returns to Taipei in the afternoon, bringing Taiwanese home for the biggest holiday in the Chinese-speaking world. [newsphoto]