The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has said it will punish airlines that operate routes less frequently than they are required to, according to China Daily.
As part of a policy aimed at the more efficient use of scarce traffic rights and at reducing Chinese airlines' operational costs, the CAAC said that from July it would monitor airlines more closely and punish those that fail to fully exploit their international allocations.
"Some airlines would even fake flight schedules so as to occupy more time slots for take-offs and landings," Yu Biao, deputy director of the authority's transport department, said at a news conference. "Countermeasures are urgently in need."
Despite ongoing monitoring efforts, malpractice remains, Yu said, as inspections have not been regular enough and the penalties too mild.
From July, however, on less busy routes the authorities will check every flight, ensuring carriers fly on time and make full use of their traffic rights. On busier routes, inspections will assess the rate of frequencies and any sudden schedule changes.
Airlines falling under suspicion will receive a bimonthly performance score, Yu warned, which will be used to determine penalties - including a refusal to launch new international routes for up to a year.
