No flight for Okay Airways before Chinese New Year

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has rejected the application from Okay Airways, China's first private airline, to resume passenger service before Jan 21, citing incomplete information.

Okay Airways filed an application to resume its passenger service to the CAAC on Jan 15. The airline intended to provide passenger services before the Chinese New Year holidays, which officially begins on Jan 26. Travel rush usually occurs before the holidays begin when millions of people are heading home for family reunion.

Okay Airways halted its passenger service on Dec 6, 2008 as a result of an internal management dispute.

The Tianjin-based airline lost nearly 100 million yuan ($14.62 million) in the past month. Analysts said the airline would need to invest 100 million to 200 million yuan to resume services.