Heavy smog in China causes travel disruption
The first day of the New Year holiday was disrupted by heavy smog in northern China, which descended on 1 January and caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and numerous highways to close. Indeed, 24 cities issued travel alerts that are expected to last through much of the week.
In Beijing, more than 100 flights were cancelled on 1 January and all intercity buses were halted at the capital’s airport. In Tianjin, meanwhile, more than 300 flights were cancelled and, according to weather forecasts, thick smog in the region will persist until 5 January.
China is no stranger to air pollution, with large parts of the north having been affected by hazardous smog in mid-December, which led authorities to order hundreds of factories to close and restrict motorists in a bid to curb emissions. During this time, thousands of residents escaped the hazardous fog by travelling abroad to destinations such as Australia, Indonesia, Japan and the Maldives.
According to the official press agency of the People's Republic of China, Xinhua News Agency, severe pollution is expected to persist in the region for three to seven days. It may continue to affect travellers due to cancelled or delayed flights.