China Eastern probed for "returning flights"
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Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into China Eastern Airlines’ pilots, who reportedly turned back midway on flights to airports they had set off from.
China Daily said last Monday, 18 flights had returned to their departure points in southwestern Yunnan province, affecting more than 1,000 passengers.
Media reports had said that the pilots were protesting over their pay and working conditions, but the company had insisted that poor weather was the reason.
Xinhua News Agency said the Civil Aviation Administration of China would talk to the pilots passengers, air traffic controllers, ground crew and airport staff to get the truth about the incident.
China Daily said China Eastern had announced over the weekend that pilots involved would be penalised if they were found to have acted based on grievances rather than as a result of “poor weather”.
The Yunnan branch of China Eastern - whether the pilots are based - has promised to refund affected passengers, the report said.
China Daily, quoting media reports, said there were similar incidents recently.
The daily said China has 12,000 civilian pilots but with demand skyrocketing, 6,500 additional pilots would be needed in the next two years.
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