Under pressure from the 300 km/h Beijing-Shanghai rail service that started on June 30, the air transport industry has announced several initiatives to improve punctuality and strengthen cooperation with high-speed rail operators.

A publicity official from the North China regional area of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that two meetings were held recently in an attempt to find ways to prevent the profitable Beijing-Shanghai air route from being sidelined by the new fast-train connection between the cities.

A measure to improve flight punctuality involves airlines operating the Beijing-Shanghai route parking a spare plane in each of the two airports for use in emergencies. Airlines will also assign guides at airports to help passengers makes their connections, according to Beijing News on Wednesday.

Air traffic control departments are also being urged to give priority to Beijing-Shanghai flights when circumstances, such as thunderstorms or military drills, affect scheduling, the paper reported.

Wang Zhiping, a Shanghai-based engineer, said it was unclear to what extent the steps will improve the viability of flights between the two cities.

"Recent storms caused frequent flight delays, making the high-speed rail seem like really a good choice," he said. "Competition is a good thing because it is the only reason that the airlines have now decided to do something."

Airlines have slashed the price of some tickets, with the cheapest now being 360 yuan ($56) before the airport construction fee and fuel surcharge. The high-speed rail service charges 555 yuan for a second-class seat.

The Beijing-Shanghai route has been called a "golden passage" in the past because it has been one of the most lucrative routes in China.

The CAAC in 2007 coordinated airlines to jointly launch an express service that provides flights between two of China's most dynamic cities every half hour. Some 4.18 million people flew between the cities in 2006.

Previous estimates by industry insiders said the opening of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line could take 20 percent of passengers away from airlines.

Previously, high-speed railways have forced airlines to abandon routes between Wuhan and Guangzhou and between Hefei and Wuhan

QUESTIONS

1 What industry is under pressure from the high-speed Beijing-Shanghai rail service?

2 What are they doing about it?

3 What is the fare difference?

Answers

1. The air transport industry

2. They plan to improve punctuality and strengthen cooperation with high-speed rail operators.

3. Airlines slashed prices, with the cheapest now being 360 yuan ($56) before the airport construction fee and fuel surcharge. The high-speed rail service charges 555 yuan for a second-class seat.

（中国日报网英语点津 Julie 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in