Air:The national airline is Air China(CA) Airlines serving China include:British airways,Finnair,KLM,Lufthansa,Northwest Airlines,Singapore Airlines and many others

Notes:Travellers should ensure that they re-confirm their return flight reservations,as overbooking by airlines has led to people being stranded in China.Approximate flight times:From Beijing to London is approximately 10 hours,to New York is 22hours,to LA is 12 hours,and to Sydney is 12hours.

International airports:Beijing/Peking(BJS/PEK) airport(Capital international Central) is 28 km(18 miles) northeast of the city(travel time ¨C 40 minutes by bus and taxi).

Guangzhou/Canton airport(Baiyun) is 7km(4 miles)from the city(travel time ¨C 20minutes).

Shanghai Hongqiao(SHA)airport is 13km(8 miles)southwest of the city(travel time ¨C 25 to 40minutes).

Shanghai Pudong(PVG)airport,in the eastern fiancial district,is 30km(19 miles)from the city centre(travel time ¨C 50minutes by bus or taxi).Pudong is a major international airport with a magnetic levitation train and an underground link(due for expansion in 2005,when Pudong will be connected with Hongqiao).

Facilities at the above airports include taxis,public and shuttle buses,duty free shops,banks/bureaux de change,post offices,business facilities,bars and restaurants.There are also airports at other major cities.

Departure tax:RMBY90.Children under 12 and transit passengers(proceeding within 24 hours)are exempt.