Taiwan stymies new China flights amid route row, official says

FILE PHOTO - A China Eastern Airlines passenger jet passes in front of the moon over Shanghai May 13, 2011. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

TAIPEI/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Taiwan's aviation regulator has stalled applications for new flights from China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines amid a row between Beijing and the self-ruled island over air routes, a regulatory official said on Friday.

Taiwan had not yet approved the applications to add flights during the approaching Lunar New Year holiday because in recent weeks the airlines had used four disputed air routes close to the island, said the official, who asked not to be identified.