The China Civil Aviation Authority has decided to release control over first class and business class airfares. From 1 June, a recent announcement said, airlines will be given the autonomy to price tickets according to market demand.

Until now, prices for these two seat classes were kept low, roughly 50 and 30 per cent higher than those in economy class and they very seldom attracted discounts. Prices for international flights offered by Chinese airlines are more or less left to the market, though they are often much cheaper than on international carriers.