Beijing today implemented air route B208 that will reduce air traffic congestion during the Olympics in a move welcomed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). "We call this route the Olympic Bypass," said Giovanni Bisignani,IATA’s director general and CEO.

"It will alleviate air traffic delays and congestion, as flights from Europe to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong will no longer have to be channelled through Beijing. This is especially critical with the Olympics in August. The experience of previous Olympics host cities tells us that there will be significantly more air traffic in China’s skies during the Olympics."

Bisignani said the new route was the result of numerous discussions IATA held with Chinese authorities since 2006. "By shortening the route by 60 nautical miles, we will save about 83 thousand tonnes of CO₂ annually. This is a win-win for all – the Chinese Government, travellers, airlines and most importantly, the environment," he said.

"The Olympic Bypass demonstrates the Chinese Government’s continued commitment to improve efficiency in air traffic management in China’s airspace." Although the route was introduced to deal with Olympic-related congestion, it is the latest in a series of permanent improvements to China’s air traffic management infrastructure. In 2006, China approved the IATA-1 route, cutting flight times between Europe and China and last year it introduced Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM).

"We need more governments around the world to commit to shorten routes and build more efficient infrastructure," added Bisignani.