The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently issued an emergency notice that requires all flights not to provide catering services during takeoff and landing, which may lead to flights of less than two hours ceasing to provide hot meals to passengers, according to Shanghai Morning Post.
inflight meals on short-haul flights to be a thing of the past?
Earlier on August 11, Hainan Airlines passenger flight HU7148 met with turbulence at 4,200 meters above sea level on descent, injuring dozens of passengers and crewmembers.
An unnamed domestic airline has since adjusted its service process on flights of less than two hours. One of the company directors said the airline would from now on provide pastries or cookies rather than hot meals to complete catering services 30 minutes before landing.
Generally, serving a full cabin with hot meals would cost 50 minutes to one hour, while serving snacks need only 40 minutes.
A director with CAAC's Flight Standards Service said jets were more likely to encounter turbulence during takeoff and landing as wind speed direction and velocity become unstable. Thus, passengers and stewards are at risk if meals are served during these periods, it was added.
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