China’s controversial new flight route M503 has been in operation for one month. The route runs 10.2 nautical miles near the median line dividing Taiwan and China. Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration said all flights along the route have abided by the agreement set by the two sides which is to keep a roughly 10 nautical mile distance from the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
About 30 flights use the route on a daily basis mostly from north to south. The route is mostly used by Hong Kong-based Dragonair to fly from Shanghai to Hong Kong. Other frequent users include Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.
China implemented the new route because of heavy traffic on another flight route. Taiwan had initially opposed the new route saying it was too close to Taiwan and could pose safety risks for Taiwanese commercial flights. After consultations with Taiwan, China agreed to move the M503 route westward and closer to China.