Chinese airlines are putting on additional flights to transport homebound passengers stranded by snowstorms that have been sweeping almost half the country.

Shanghai Airlines sent three Boeing 757s to the central cities of Changsha and Wuhan and Nanchang in the east, where a large number of passengers were stranded in airports. The planes are standing by to carry them home as long as meteorological conditions allow.

Air China, the country's largest international airline and the national flag carrier, scheduled 42 additional flights for the southwest Chongqing Municipality. About 5,000 passengers are expected to benefit from the newly added flights.

Long Qiang, an Air China official, said the carrier would cover the additional flight costs.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2008)